Illinois Trooper Nick Hopkins dies after East St. Louis shooting
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. Aug 23 2019 A trooper with the Illinois State Police SWAT team was shot and killed in the line of duty early Friday morning in East St. Louis while serving a warrant.
33-year-old Trooper Nick Hopkins died from his injuries Friday afternoon at St. Louis University Hospital at 6:10 p.m.
Hopkins was serving a warrant at a home near Caseyville Avenue and North 42nd Street shortly before 5:30 a.m. Friday.
Brendan Kelly, Director of the ISP, said the death is the first of an Illinois State Police SWAT team member in 20 years.
“It is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you of the death of Trooper Nicholas Hopkins. Trooper Hopkins laid down his life while protecting the citizens of this state,” Kelly announced during a press conference.
Trooper Hopkins was a 10-year veteran of the Illinois State Police.
“Nick Hopkins was a bright light in this world,” said ISP Acting Director Brendan Kelly.
Waterloo Mayor Tom Smith says Hopkins was married and the father of four-year-old twins and an infant daughter.
Mayor Smith says his town 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,” said Mayor Smith.
Hopkins was raised in Waterloo where his father currently serves as an alderman.
His brother is an officer in Columbia, Illinois.
Mayor Smith says Hopkins was also a skilled business man in flipping properties in Waterloo.
Hopkins’ body and organs will be donated to help save up to 40 people.
