Tim McCarthy
Tim McCarthy | |
---|---|
Occupation(s) | Secret Service special agent Chief of police |
Known for | Saving President Reagan during his assassination attempt. |
Children | 3 |
Timothy J. McCarthy (born June 20, 1949) is an American former police officer and special agent in the
During the assassination attempt, McCarthy spread his stance to protect Reagan as six bullets were being fired by the would-be assassin, John Hinckley Jr.[1] McCarthy stepped in front of President Reagan, taking a bullet to the chest, but made a full recovery.
After the assassination attempt, McCarthy was hailed as a hero and received the NCAA Award of Valor in 1982.[2][3]
Early life
McCarthy was born on June 20, 1949, and was raised in Chicago's
He joined the
While there, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta.[6] He served 22 years in the United States Secret Service.[7]
Law enforcement career
His career included eight years assigned to the Presidential Protective Division in
Reagan assassination attempt
On March 30, 1981,
McCarthy was not supposed to be on duty that day. At the last minute, the Secret Service received a request for an officer to provide protection to Reagan for an AFL-CIO luncheon on March 31. McCarthy and a colleague flipped a coin to see who would have to fill in on their day off; McCarthy lost.[10]
McCarthy was taken to George Washington University Hospital, and was operated on near the president.[15] He was later released after a 2-hour surgery.[16]
Post-Secret Service career
McCarthy became the Chief of the
In 1999, he earned a
In March 2016, he was awarded the first annual Chief of Police of the Year award by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. The award cited his legislative advocacy, supervision of the building of the country's first police station to receive a
On July 1, 2020, McCarthy announced his retirement effective August 1, 2020.[22]
Personal life
McCarthy is married and has three children.[17]
McCarthy was interviewed in 2016 about the release of John Hinckley Jr., and responded: "I don't have to agree with it, but I expected it. There are very few cases that people, after a period of time, are viewed as no longer being a danger to themselves or others. I hope they're right about it. It's a big decision. I give the judge credit. That's what he gets paid for."[23]
References
- ^ a b Crean, Ellen (June 11, 2004). "He Took a Bullet for Reagan". CBS.
'In the Secret Service,' [McCarthy] continued, 'we're trained to cover and evacuate the president. And to cover the president, you have to get as large as you can, rather than hitting the deck.'
- ^ "All-Time Honors Award Winners". NCCA.ORG. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Archived from the original on 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
- University of Illinois.
- ^ a b Connolly, Dermot (July 14, 2016). "Chief McCarthy named interim village manager". The Regional News. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ a b Tybor, Joseph (October 21, 1997). "Secret Service Hero Bucks Odds In Political Run: McCarthy Announces Candidacy". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- The News-Gazette. Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ "Timothy McCarthy, who took a bullet for President Reagan, to retire as Orland Park police chief". Chicago Sun-Times. 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ "Orland Park police Chief Tim McCarthy, the Secret Service agent shot while protecting President Reagan, to retire after 26 years". Chicago Tribune. July 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ "Nancy Reagan and the Agent Who Took a Bullet for Her Husband Shared Special Bond". Orland Park, IL Patch. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8050-9346-9.
- ^ Reagan Assassination Attempt (YouTube). Discovery UK. 2010-12-13. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22.
- ^ a b "March 30, 1981" Reagan's reflections on the assassination attempt, Ronaldreagan.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007. Archived December 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Feaver, Douglas. "Three men shot at the side of their President", The Washington Post, March 31, 1981.
- ^ Hunter, Marjorie. "2 in Reagan security detail are wounded outside hotel", New York Times, March 31, 1981.
- ^ Office of Inspection. "Reagan Assassination Attempt Interview Reports" (PDF). United States Secret Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ^ "Reagan Wounded In Chest By Gunman; Outlook 'Good' After 2-Hour Surgery; Aide And 2 Guards Shot; Suspect Held". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ a b c "Chief of Police". Village of Orland Park. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ Davis, Jennifer (January 15, 1998). "Secretary of State? Why are so many people competing for the chance to issue you your driver's license? Because it's the second most powerful state job. And arguably the most visible". Illinois Issues. Illustrations by Mike Cramer. University of Illinois Springfield. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
- ^ "Election Results: General Primary (March 17, 1998)" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. March 17, 1998.
- ^ Traut, Lauren (March 26, 2016). "Orland Park Chief Tim McCarthy Named State's Police Chief of the Year for 2016". Orland Park Patch. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ Nolan, Mike (September 6, 2017). "Orland Park names village manager". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- ^ Proctor, Clare (July 1, 2020). "Timothy McCarthy, who took a bullet for President Reagan, to retire as Orland Park police chief". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ Ben Nuckols and Joe Mandak (August 1, 2016). John Hinckley story Archived 2016-10-26 at the Wayback Machine