Tim McCarthy from Orland Park reminisces about President Reagan shooting in recent video
On March 30, 1981, Tim McCarthy, a Secret Service agent assigned to guard then-President Ronald Reagan, recounted an ordinary day that unfolded in an extraordinary way. As McCarthy revisited the harrowing events in a recent Secret Service interview, he shared the heart-stopping moments of an assassination attempt that left him, the president, and others injured. The vivid retelling of McCarthy’s experience during those fateful seconds brings to light the gravity of the situation.
The recollection of this traumatic episode by McCarthy, who resided in Orland Park and served as police chief from 1994 to 2022, has come to light in a video interview posted on the Secret Service website and YouTube channel. In the interview conducted by Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s chief of communications, McCarthy delves into the tension-filled atmosphere that surrounded President Reagan that day.
The posting of McCarthy’s interview was not an attempt at damage control for the Secret Service following the heightened scrutiny post an assassination attempt on Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. The interview is part of a series titled “Behind the Shades,” intended to highlight the dedicated work of Secret Service personnel. This storytelling initiative, currently on a brief hiatus, seeks to shed light on the valor and dedication exhibited by agents like McCarthy.
The events of July 13, when Thomas Crooks fired at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, led to Director’s resignation after the agency’s internal review revealed operational and communication gaps. These lapses, as per the agency’s final assessment, underscored shortcomings in command, communication, and overall vigilance on the part of the personnel involved.
Ongoing changes and challenges within the Secret Service, including the removal of protection details for Biden’s children by Trump and a recent incident involving Secret Service agents at a Chicago school, add to the complex narrative surrounding the agency. The multifaceted engagement of the Secret Service with evolving political scenarios and heightened security threats reflects a dynamic operational landscape.
As McCarthy reminisced about the seemingly unremarkable day when chaos unfolded, his firsthand account revealed the searing intensity of the moment. Amid cheers and clamor outside the Washington Hilton, the scene abruptly shifted as shots rang out, shattering the tranquility. McCarthy’s decisive actions, including stepping between the president and the assailant and absorbing a bullet meant for Reagan, underscore his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the president.
The presence of mind and split-second decisions by McCarthy, captured in his emotional retelling of events, unraveled a tale of courage and selflessness. The courage displayed by McCarthy on that fateful day, underscored by colleague Jerry Parr’s poignant acknowledgement of McCarthy’s timely intervention, stands as a testament to the valor exhibited by Secret Service agents in the line of duty. Amidst chaos and uncertainty, McCarthy stood as a steadfast shield, protecting the president at all costs.
The video interview with McCarthy serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by Secret Service agents in safeguarding the nation’s leaders. McCarthy’s unwavering resolve and courage in the face of danger illuminate the indomitable spirit of those tasked with ensuring the safety and security of the Commander-in-Chief. As McCarthy’s account reverberates through the annals of history, his heroic actions on that pivotal day serve as a testament to the quiet heroes who stand guard in the face of adversity.