He took a bullet to save the president | Wearing the Badge S2 E3

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. 00:00 Cold open: the coin flip, the shooting, and the images that stay 01:36 Welcome + “Are we related?” 02:48 Ireland roots, “Black and Tans,” and family stories 05:05 Name confusion + the other Tim McCarthy (MAP union) 06:25 NY politics + fear of crime + quality-of-life policing 09:52 Chicago justice politics + Cliff Lewis case discussion 12:56 Major Crimes Task Force + murder numbers and clearance rates 15:01 Tim’s background: South Side, Leo High, Illinois football 18:44 Joining the Secret Service + the entrance test + Chicago field work 24:59 Presidential detail: Carter to Reagan to Bush 26:39 The day Reagan was shot: advance, crowd scan, six shots 32:35 Recovery, the danger of a .22, and meeting Reagan in the hospital 37:17 Back to work, body armor, and the 9/11 suit story 40:36 Leaving DC + private sector detour + path to Orland Park chief 43:36 Recertifying, training requirements, and what’s “useful” in the field 46:21 SES management training + learning a union environment fast 49:32 Command decisions, community pressure, and the “why I was sent” moment 52:23 Union arbitration war story + sanctions and settlements 54:32 Fitness standards, buy-in, and culture shifts 56:33 Final thoughts: courage, service, and closing the episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices