Family, friends gather for visitation for fallen Oak Park Detective Allan Reddins

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Family, friends and fellow first responders began the process of saying goodbye to fallen Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins.

His visitation was held from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Leak and Sons Funeral Home at 78th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago.

Bitter winds were no match for their sense of dedication to honor a detective killed on the job.

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Officers in single layers of varied uniforms strode single-file through the biting cold into the South Side funeral home to pay their respects to Detective Reddins.

"Just the way the world is right now... there's no peace," retired Metra Police Officer Angie Simpkins said.

Oak Park police haven't lost an officer in nearly 100 years.

Reddins died in a shooting the morning after Thanksgiving while responding to reports of a person seen leaving a Lake Street bank in Oak Park with a gun.

"Every department is short-handed, but we come and put on our uniform every day and we do our due diligence and always strive to help the communities we work for," River Forest Police Department Officer Luis Tagle said.

Among those at a visitation for Reddins on Wednesday were officers from other jurisdictions and agencies. The ATF was on the scene to assist when Reddins was shot.

"Horrible loss of life," ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jason Gore said.

Investigators said Reddins and other officers asked the suspect to show his hands when he brandished a gun. Reddins was shot on the left side and was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center but died soon after he arrived.

Chicago man Jerell Thomas is accused in the fatal shooting. Thomas has been charged with first degree murder, felony possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon for the shooting death of the veteran lawman.

Detective Reddins was a five-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department and is the first Oak Park officer killed in the line of duty since 1938.

"We hope that Detective Reddins, his legacy and memory and sacrifice, will not be forgotten" family friend Heather Smith said.

Inside the funeral home, the police family came to comfort Detective Reddins' beloved mother and son.

Juan Cayentano doesn't know them, but he hand carved a memorial as a gesture of gratitude.

"They're here to protect us. And for us and my family and my team it's our way to stay thank you to him," Cayetano said.

Now, Detective Reddins' former colleagues are left to mourn in an increasingly dangerous job.

'The world is just so cruel and so different," retired Ofc. Simpkins said. "It's like nobody cares about anything or anybody."

Reddins' funeral is Thursday at 11 a.m. at Apostolic Church of God at 63rd and Dorchester. A private burial will follow.

"At one point, we are very disturbed and distressed, but also grateful for people who have the courage to give that level of sacrifice and to be here today, to see the support of law enforcement from the city and around the state," family friend Jeffery Smith said.

At a vigil last week, Reddins was remembered for his service and involvement in the community.

Reddins' son, a Morehouse College honor student, calls his late father his hero and his guardian angel.