Tim McCarthy

"Timothy McCarthy" redirects here. For the sailor, see Timothy McCarthy (sailor). For the chief executive, see Timothy Francis McCarthy. For the politician, see Timothy McCarthy (politician).
"Timothy J. McCarthy" redirects here. For the building, see Timothy J. McCarthy Building.
Tim McCarthy
McCarthy in 1981, moments before the shooting
Born
Timothy J. McCarthy

(1949-06-20) June 20, 1949 (age 75)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Illinois (BS)
Lewis University (MS)
Occupation(s)Secret Service special agent
Chief of police
Known forSaving President Reagan during his assassination attempt
Children3

Timothy J. McCarthy (born June 20, 1949) is an American former police officer and special agent of the U.S. Secret Service. He is best known for defending then-president Ronald Reagan during the assassination attempt on Reagan's life on March 30, 1981, in Washington, D.C.

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]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference cbs04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "All-Time Honors Award Winners". NCCA.ORG. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Archived from the original on 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
  3. ^ By means of the NCAA Award of Valor, the National Collegiate Athletic Association recognizes "courageous action or noteworthy bravery" by persons involved with intercollegiate athletics. McCarthy had played NCAA football at the University of Illinois.