He took a bullet to save the president

Former Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy (no relation to host Garry McCarthy) joins Wearing the Badge with a story that puts him in an exceptionally small club: he took a bullet protecting President Ronald Reagan during the 1981 assassination attempt.

Tim breaks down what happened in those seconds outside the Washington Hilton—how training takes over, how the team moved the president, and what stays with you for life. Then he fast-forwards to the second act of his career: leaving the federal world, stepping into local policing leadership, and eventually serving as Orland Park Police Chief—where the job becomes unions, arbitration, politics, and the everyday realities of public safety.

In this episode:
The Reagan assassination attempt—what Tim saw, did, and survived
“Cover and evacuate”: why the body moves before the brain can debate
Returning to duty after a critical incident
From Secret Service to police chief: leadership training, unions, and culture

“Wearing the Badge” is hosted by former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy in partnership with Fox 32 Chicago. McCarthy, who began his law enforcement career with the NYPD, is now the police chief in Willow Springs, Illinois. Beyond breaking down the latest crime trends and the policies that shape strategies, McCarthy and seasoned law enforcement officials share what it really means to wear the badge—revealing both the challenges and rewards of serving on the front lines.Former Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy (no relation to host Garry McCarthy) joins Wearing the Badge with a story that puts him in an exceptionally small club: he took a bullet protecting President Ronald Reagan during the 1981 assassination attempt.