Illinois state SWAT trooper dies from injuries after hours-long shootout while executing search warrant
An Illinois state trooper passed away on Friday, August 23, from wounds he suffered a few hours earlier while executing a search warrant.
Nicholas Hopkins, an Illinois State Police SWAT team member, was shot around 5.30 am during a gunfire exchange when he and other troopers were executing a warrant at a home down in East St Louis.
According to Fox News, Illinois State Police acting director Brendon Kelly told reporters that 33-year-old Hopkins was taken to St Louis University Hospital where they pronounced him dead due to catastrophic injuries at around 6.10 pm.
After the shooting took place, cops surrounded the home and arrested three people. Throughout the day the police remained on the scene unsure if another suspect was inside the house.
The three people arrested have not been identified and the reason for the search warrant has not been revealed yet by authorities. Following the shooting, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, in a statement, shared that troopers portray an unbelievable amount of courage and "put their lives on the line for us every single day."
He added, "Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this dangerous, active situation in East St Louis and every day."
"On behalf of the governor and the people of Illinois, my heartfelt thanks go out to all law enforcement agencies, emergency personnel, first responders and medical personnel for their assistance in this difficult time," Pritzker said. "In particular, I give my thanks to the troopers who performed CPR for an extended period on their fellow trooper to sustain their brother's life so that his family could see him one last time."
Hopkins is survived by his wife and three children. He also has three sisters and two brothers, one of whom serves as a police officer in a different department in the state. "It is nearly impossible to express the depth of my sadness and my condolences to the entire Hopkins family, his friends, and the Illinois State Police family," Kelly added.
Hopkins was a 10-year veteran in the force and is the fourth Illinois State Trooper to be killed this year. Kelly noted that his passing marks the first death of an Illinois State Police SWAT team member in nearly 20 years.
US attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Steve Weinhoeft shared that the area where the shooting took place is very dangerous. Weinhoeft said, "He (Hopkins) was trying to make that community safer for every man, woman, and child. He is another great hero of Illinois who has paid the ultimate price while protecting and serving the citizens of this state."
"This is a particularly bitter moment for me because it occurred in the home part of my state. It is hard, especially hard, for the entire state police."
"Even now, he continues to serve others. He will donate his organs and his very body to help others," Kelly said. "He would want us all to know he was as healthy as a horse, and that a healthy body like his can help save or improve the lives of as many as 40 people through organ donation. Even in death, even in this dark moment, his light is shining," Kelly added.
In an interview with KMOV, Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith shared that the community is heartbroken. "He always had a smile, he loved it, his dad said Nick was so happy when he made the tactical response team and he just loved it, so he’s happy to be a trooper."
Kelly added, "Nick's father said Nick had amazingly strong hands and was an incredible carpenter. So please right now, please join me in a moment of prayer or silence to pray for his family and the soul of Trooper Hopkins as he passes into the hands of the greatest carpenter."