Holly MatkinBy Holly Matkin and Sandy Malone
Madison County, IL – Pontoon Beach Police Department (PBPD) Officer Tyler Timmins was murdered in the line of duty Tuesday while responding to a report of a motor vehicle theft at a gas station.
The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. on Oct. 26 at the Speedway gas station on Route 111 near Interstate 270, the Associated Press reported.
Illinois State Police (ISP) said that as Officer Timmins, 36, began to approach the suspect vehicle, someone inside the car opened fire on him, KSDK reported.
Police rushed Officer Timmons to Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City in a patrol vehicle, and from there the wounded officer was airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital.
Officer Timmons was pronounced dead at the hospital, KSDK reported.
Police said the suspect in the officer’s murderer had been taken into custody, the Associated Press reported.
Officer Timmins leaves behind his wife, family, friends, and coworkers, according to a fundraising page established by The BackStoppers.
“Our hearts are heavy today as we are faced with the loss of Officer Tyler Timmins,” The BackStoppers Executive Director Ron Battelle said on the fundraising page. “He was a hero who dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community. Officer Timmins will be honored and remembered and we will be there for his family for the long road ahead.”
The BackStoppers is now assisting the family of Officer Tyler Timmins of the Pontoon Beach Illinois Police Department who was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 26, 2021 while approaching a suspect of a stolen vehicle. Read more: https://t.co/yBeIALrp7F pic.twitter.com/XCvi1mncas
— The BackStoppers Inc (@BackStoppers) October 26, 2021
Pontoon Beach PD officer Tyler Timmins died today after being sent to the hospital this morning after he was shot at the newly-opened Speedway gas station in PB.
Pray for his family and all Pontoon Beach Police Dept. officers.
#RIPTylerTimmins #PontoonBeach 💙🚔 pic.twitter.com/ffLvfirkTK— Justin Gibson (@JGibsonDem) October 26, 2021
Our hearts are with the men & women of Pontoon Beach Police Department as we mourn the tragic loss of Officer Tyler Timmins. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends & community. Our thoughts are with them today & in the days ahead. pic.twitter.com/5UM6drbVyA
— Clayton Missouri Police Department (@ClaytonMOPD) October 26, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pontoon Beach Police Department Officer Tyler Timmins, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Tyler Timmins, your life mattered.
Sandy Malone
