Project Blue Light remembers fallen first responders

HAZEL PARK — Deputy Bradley Reckling, of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, was killed this past summer confronting alleged car thieves he had tracked from Madison Heights to Detroit. He was among the fallen heroes honored at the 2024 Southeast Michigan Project Blue Light ceremony, which recognizes those who died in the line of duty.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics from across the region descended upon St. Justin Church in Hazel Park Dec. 3 for the somber occasion. The initiative’s name is derived from the practice of placing a blue light in the front window of one’s home to show solidarity with police, or a red light to show support for firefighters and paramedics.

David Soltis, a member of the Madison Heights City Council who once worked in an EMT crew, and whose son is a paramedic, said such a gesture means a lot for families of first responders.

“It lets them know that the public are thinking about them and support what they’re doing and appreciate them,” Soltis said. “Because if they didn’t do what they do, then where would we be?”

Debbie Swofford organizes the event, which is now in its 21st year. Each ceremony includes a “Roll Call of Heroes” recounting those who died in the line of duty since the last ceremony.

For 2024, the Roll Call of Heroes includes:

• Court officer Robert Silver, with the St. Clair County Court, who died Dec. 28, 2023.

• Trooper Joel Popp, with the Michigan State Police, who died Jan. 24, 2024.

• Deputy Bradley Reckling, of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, who died June 22, 2024.

• Deputy William Butler Jr., of the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office, who died June 27, 2024.

• Cpl. Mohamed Said, with the Melvindale Police Department, who died July 21, 2024.

• Motor carrier officer Daniel Kerstetter, of the Michigan State Police, who died Sept. 15, 2024.

Silver was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice in Clay Township. He was found dead after court staff were unable to reach him for hours. His body was found on the property with gunshot wounds. The tenant at the home had barricaded himself there for a short time before being taken into custody, and he was subsequently charged with murder. Silver’s death marked the end of a 35-year career with the St. Clair County Court.

Popp was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating an individual who had been driving under the influence on northbound Interstate 75 near Birch Run. He was standing outside his vehicle when another motorist struck him and two patrol cars. He was transported to Hurley Medical Center where he died from his injuries. The 81-year-old driver also sustained serious injuries. Popp had served with the Michigan State Police for four years and was assigned to the Tri-City Post.

Reckling was shot and killed while conducting surveillance on a vehicle in Detroit that had been stolen at the Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights. Reckling reached the car before other members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Auto Theft Unit and was waiting for backup when the three suspects allegedly ambushed him. He was taken to a local hospital where he died. One of the suspects has since been charged with murder, among other charges, while the other two face charges including accessory after the fact to a felony. Reckling had served with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for nine years and had only recently been assigned to the Auto Theft Unit.

Butler was shot and killed while assisting with a traffic stop in Jefferson Township. The suspect did not cooperate, instead pulling a gun during a struggle with deputies and striking Butler before fleeing on foot. The suspect died in a shootout with police several hours later and 2 miles from the scene of the original incident. Butler died from his wounds at the hospital.

Said was shot and killed in Melvindale while pursuing a subject who was paroled in June and who fled the scene on a stolen bicycle. A manhunt by local, county and federal agencies led to his arrest the next day, with Said’s handcuffs used to secure the suspect, who has since been charged with murder and other charges. Said had served with the Melvindale Police Department for 14 months.

Kerstetter was struck by a vehicle on I-75 and died from his injuries. He had been conducting a traffic stop at around 8:30 a.m. on northbound I-75 near Dix Road in Lincoln Park. He was sitting in his patrol car when a Ford Explorer crashed into the back of the vehicle, pushing him into the rear of a semi-truck. He was removed from his vehicle using the Jaws of Life and transported to a hospital where he remained on life support until his organs could be donated. The driver of the Explorer was killed in the crash, while the semi-truck driver was uninjured. Kerstetter had served with the Michigan State Police for more than a year.

Eastpointe Police Lt. Alexander Holish said such cases show the risks facing first responders. He also described the other sacrifices they make.

“Unfortunately, many of us have to miss family events because the job is 24/7. It could be Thanksgiving, Christmas, any number of days. That’s a sacrifice in itself, and takes a toll on families. Kids miss their fathers, wives miss their husbands. And there’s the uncertainty that comes with it all. One second, you’re eating lunch, and then two seconds later, you’re responding to a triple shooting,” Holish said.

“We respond to all sorts of horrible things — abuse cases, even sexual assaults on children — and we have to live with those traumas. We all put on a stoic face and investigate crimes without showing emotions, but when we get home and crash, those feelings come up, thinking about the people who got hurt, the tragedies we saw throughout the day. It leads to PTSD, anxiety, depression. It’s the exposure to traumatic experiences, over and over again. Nobody calls us on their good day to say hello; they call because they’re distressed.”

The Project Blue Light ceremony at St. Justin Church was a chance to reflect on that sacrifice. William Hamel, the police chief of Hazel Park, said via email that the venue is especially appropriate given its history of support for the law enforcement community.

The late Rev. Robert Hayes Williams II — also known as “Father Bob” — was once a pastor at St. Justin Church. He died from an illness at age 69 on Oct. 28. He had served with the Hazel Park Police Department as both a reserve officer and police chaplain.

“Continuing this tradition (of Project Blue Light) at St. Justin also honors Father Bob for his work in supporting first responders,” Hamel said.

Soltis said it’s important to show police and firefighters that their work isn’t thankless and that the community has their backs.

“Without a doubt, these are challenging occasions where police and fire work long hours away from home, during the holidays and in all kinds of weather. Their work is necessary, but we have to remember they’re still human beings, and they need all the support we can give them. No matter what comes up, no matter how minor or horrendous, they do their job. And we’re so very thankful for them,” Soltis said.