Michael McEvoy is a “Go-to Guy” and highly regarded on the Arlington Heights Police Department. That’s how Arlington Heights Police Commander Andrew Whowell described McEvoy at a press conference Saturday morning at Arlington Heights Police Department Headquarters.
Michael McEvoy, 52, a 23-year veteran of the department, was shot in the face by a man with a criminal history that police knew well, but did not immediately know he was associated with the house in any way, but were informed he was there while en route. Eric Anderson, 41, of Niles, who had been stalking an ex-girlfriend and had taken her hostage, shot McEvoy in the face and neck with one bullet as soon as McEvoy entered the house just before 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2013. Police backup officers immediately dragged an unresponsive McEvoy to the cover behind his police SUV squad, while at least one officer provided cover with his weapon aimed at the house. Arlington Heights Fire Department Deputy Chief Ken Koeppen, who happened to be in the neighborhood, came out to help after he saw flashing lights. He applied pressure to McEvoy’s wound near his face and neck until paramedics from his department arrived and transported McEvoy to Level I Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. The gunman who shot McEvoy was shot and killed by NIPAS EST members after he displayed his weapon aggressively about four hours after a standoff with police. His female hostage escaped to safety.
Officer Michael McEvoy’s Forensics SUV becomes part of the investigation after he was shot and seriously injured, and the gunman was shot and killed by NIPAS EST after the gunman took an aggressive position after a four-hour standoff.
Fellow police officers, residents of Arlington Heights, and reporters back-up Commander Andrew Whowell’s statement. McEvoy is a hero every day in his work as police officer — a job he loves. He resolves difficult problems, handles extra tasks, and backs up other officers. Because of his job as a forensics investigator and police arson investigator, he frequently works beyond the end of his shift — meticulously and dutifully taking care of details.
Commander Andrew Whowell giving the first press conference after Arlington Heights police officer was shot at a townhouse near Arlington Heights Road and Palatine Road (Whowell interview begins at 1:28).
On almost any night while McEvoy works his beat in the forensics SUV on the north side, the radio crackles his last name or his beat car or cover car number. “Hey, McEvoy can you get down here and take pictures at this bonafide residential burglary.” … “Hey McEvoy can you head down to South Goebbert Road and take some domestic battery pics. There’s some blood on the wall of the apartment. The apartment is pretty messed up” … “McEvoy, head over to the ER at Northwest. We need you for pics of another battery victim — battered pretty bad.” … “Hey McEvoy, FD needs you for an arson investigation.”
Residents of Arlington Heights describe him as an empathetic, caring, dedicated police officer with integrity. He takes the time to explain the details so victims understand the process of investigation and prosecution. He compassionately waits for parents of three kids falsely accused of vandalizing a park. He wants the parents to hear it straight from him about the details of the vandalism complaint, and he wants to make sure the falsely accused are safely transferred to the safety of his parents. Just a couple of recent examples.
After the shooting on Thursday night, supportive police officers and detectives from Arlington Heights swarmed the surgical waiting room at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. Distraught fellow officers stood in disbelief how a routine day turned ugly, as retired police officers, retired police commanders, and police from other communities arrived for their support. The surgical waiting room became a little bit of a reunion for area police officers. Chicago police officers arrived in large numbers. Two kind Chicago police officers from the Jefferson Park neighborhood beat, who befriended McEvoy at a gym in Chicago, arrived and stayed well after 1:00 a.m. hoping to be able to visit him and show their support. Unfortunately, because of the seriousness of McEvoy’s condition after surgery, they weren’t able to visit him upstairs in his hospital room.
Mug’s Pizza delivery car from the Central Road and Wolf Road location at the Emergency Room entrance to Level I Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
Mug’s Pizza from the Central Road and Wolf Road location took the initiative to deliver six boxes of pizza — three boxes of extra large pizza were picked up by fellow police officers, and another three boxes were delivered directly to the surgery family waiting area by Mugs.
Saturday, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s 7th annual Operation Santa made a last-minute stop with gifts at the Arlington Heights Police Department Headquarters as part of the tribute tour to fallen officers.
There’s a lot of good cops on the Arlington Heights Police Department, and on Chicagoland area police departments. Hey, McEvoy, the residents you serve and protect, and the police officers you work with know you’re one of the best.
Thanks for sharing the story of our hero.. Great article!