Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy - The Man Who Took a Bullet for President Reagan episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 22, 2025 · 37 MIN

Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy - The Man Who Took a Bullet for President Reagan

from Heroes Behind the Badge

When bullets rang out at the Washington Hilton on March 30, 1981, Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy made the split-second decision that defines the ultimate sacrifice in law enforcement – turning his body into a shield for President Reagan during an assassination attempt.In this powerful Heroes Behind the Badge interview, McCarthy recounts his 50-year law enforcement career, including the moment he took a bullet to protect President Reagan from would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr. Despite suffering a serious chest wound, McCarthy returned to presidential protection duties just three months later, demonstrating the remarkable resilience that defines America's finest."I did what I did based upon training, not anything else," McCarthy humbly explains. His story exemplifies the courage and commitment of law enforcement professionals nationwide who stand ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.KEY MOMENTS:2:15 - The coin flip that put McCarthy on duty during the assassination attempt9:42 - McCarthy's detailed account of the shooting and his protective response14:25 - President Reagan's hospital room meeting with McCarthy: "What did this guy have against the Irish?"21:58 - How security protocols changed after the assassination attempt27:36 - McCarthy's expert analysis of recent Trump assassination attemptsSupport the men and women who protect us every day. Visit citizensbehindbadge.org to learn more about our mission to counter misinformation and support law enforcement.#HeroesBehindTheBadge #SecretService #LawEnforcementHeroes #PresidentialProtection #BackTheBlue

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Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy - The Man Who Took a Bullet for President Reagan

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