August 23, 2019 – In Breaking News – Fox News
An Illinois state trooper died Friday from wounds he suffered hours earlier while executing a search warrant.
Illinois State Police SWAT team member Nicholas Hopkins, 33, was shot at around 5:30 a.m. during an exchange of gunfire while he and other troopers were serving the warrant at a home in East St. Louis.
Hopkins was taken to St. Louis University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to “catastrophic injuries” at approximately 6:10 p.m., Illinois State Police Acting Director Brendan Kelly told reporters.
(Police said ISP South SWAT Trooper Nick Hopkins was executing a search warrant at a home on the 1400 block of North 42nd Street in East St. Louis shortly before 5:30 a.m. Courtesy of CBS Chicago and YouTube. Posted on Aug 23, 2019.)
After the shooting, police surrounded the home and arrested three people. Police remained on the scene throughout the day, uncertain if another suspect was barricaded in the house, according to authorities.
The three people arrested were not identified and authorities have not revealed the basis for the search warrant.
In a statement following the shooting, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker noted state troopers display unbelievable courage and “put their lives on the line for us every single day.”
“Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this dangerous, active situation in East St. Louis and every day,” he said.
“On behalf of the governor and the people of Illinois, my heartfelt thanks goes out to all law enforcement agencies, emergency personnel, first responders and medical personnel for their assistance in this difficult time,” Kelly 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.”
(Trooper Nick Hopkins was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and died at around 6:10 p.m. Courtesy of KSDK News and YouTube. Posted on Aug 23, 2019.)
Hopkins leaves behind a wife and three children. He also has three sisters and two brothers, one of whom serves as a police officer in another department in the state, Kelly noted.
“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,” he said.
Do not be fooled by FAKE fundraising accounts being set up to honor our fallen Trooper Nick Hopkins. Scammers are already trying to prey on people.
We will announce any reputable links once they are vetted through the family.
— IllinoisStatePolice (@ILStatePolice) August 24, 2019
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Illinois State Trooper Hopkins, both blood and blue. Thank you for your bravery in serving the citizens of Illinois, with pride and distinction. You will not be forgotten.
Continue reading… Illinois state trooper dies after being shot while serving warrant
(Loved ones of Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Hopkins came together at the church he attended Life Community Church for a prayer service. Dozens of members of the church shared their grief and prayed for the trooper’s family. Courtesy of FOX 2 St. Louis and YouTube. Posted on Aug 24, 2019.)
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