William Mccarthy

It was a spring afternoon on April 27, 1982, in Reynolds Township, Michigan, when Detective Lieutenant William 'Mac' McCarthy of the Montcalm County Sheriff's Department was nearing the end of his shift. A dedicated and respected officer, the 49-year-old was on his way home when a call came in about a domestic disturbance at a mobile home. McCarthy, a man known for his calm demeanor and ability to reason with people, volunteered to back up the responding deputy as the location was on his route home.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by the wife of the intoxicated and armed subject inside. She warned them not to enter, stating that her husband was drunk and had a gun. The man then appeared at the door, making threats toward the uniformed deputy. However, he agreed to speak with McCarthy, who was in plainclothes. Known for his skill in de-escalation, McCarthy entered the residence to talk with the man in an attempt to peacefully resolve the volatile situation.

Tragically, less than a minute after entering the home, the suspect picked up a. 22 caliber rifle and shot McCarthy in the chest. The bullet struck the left side of his chest, traveled through his heart, and lodged in his right lung. The detective, who never drew his own weapon, stumbled out of the residence clutching his chest and collapsed behind his patrol car, succumbing to his injuries just a short distance from his own home.

Following the shooting of McCarthy, the other deputy on the scene returned fire, wounding the suspect in the shoulder. The gunman then retreated into the mobile home and took his own life. Because the suspect committed suicide, there were no subsequent arrests, trial, or conviction. William McCarthy, a 13-year veteran of the Montcalm County Sheriff's Department and a former officer with the Lakeview Police Department for 12 years, was survived by his wife, five children, and three stepchildren.