On Friday, August 23, 2019 Illinois State SWAT Operator Trooper Nicholas Hopkins was shot and killed while serving a search warrant at a home in East St. Louis, Illinois. He was 33 years old and left behind a wife, three young children and several loving family members and friends.

The Illinois State Police said the death of Trooper Hopkins was the first loss of a SWAT operator in the 20 year history of ISP SWAT, and his tragic loss is felt immensely through the entire force. The ISP recently released a statement from the Hopkins family that included;

"Nick will live on through the memories we cherish and in how we emulate his passion for life: “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” It brings us comfort to know Nick’s legacy will live on by the actions of others.

 

Just those words alone bring tears to my eyes thinking about what an amazing man Trooper Hopkins must have been, but then I see this post from a woman named Cynthia Stanley, and now I'm reaching for the tissues....

Kindness matters, and it leaves lasting impressions. We should all remember that today.

God Bless you, Trooper Hopkins. May you rest in peace.

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