Former U.S. Secret Service agent Timothy J. McCarthy sprung to fame on March 30, 1981, when he took a bullet saving President Ronald Reagan. McCarthy leaped into action when John Hinckley, Jr. opened fire on Reagan as he exited the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. during an assassination attempt on the then-president.
Now, after close to 50-years in law enforcement, McCarthy is set to retire Aug. 1 as the Chief of Police of Orland Park, Illinois, from which he served since May 1994.
McCarthy, who was not scheduled for detail that day in 1981, ended up flipping a coin with a colleague for duty. Upon departing from the hotel, Hinkley fired multiple shots at Reagan when McCarthy threw his body in front of the president, taking a bullet to the chest.
He recovered from serious injuries and returned to work. He was promoted several times throughout his career with the U.S. Secret Service before retiring in October 1993.
“Chief McCarthy, a long-time Village resident, has faithfully and diligently served the Village as its Chief of Police,” said Mayor Keith Pekau. “He has provided steadfast and dependable leadership to the men and women of the Orland Park Police Department throughout this entire period. I have appreciated and benefitted from his wise counsel since I’ve joined the Village as Mayor and remain thankful to have served the community alongside the Chief.”
McCarthy boasted a lustrous career beginning with the Secret Service in 1971. He said he is looking forward to spending quality time with his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren while seeking new opportunities to continue serving his community and his country.
McCarthy was also the recipient of the NCAA Award of Valor in 1982 for President Reagan’s protection.
PHOTO: enacademic.com || https://orlandpark.org/government/police-administration
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