Illinois Woman Posts Tribute to Fallen Trooper on Facebook
An Illinois woman took to social media on Wednesday to tell the tale of a heartwarming interaction she had several years ago with Illinois State Trooper Nick Hopkins—who was recently killed in the line of duty.
An Illinois woman took to social media on Wednesday to tell the tale of a heartwarming interaction she had several years ago with Illinois State Trooper Nick Hopkins—who was recently killed in the line of duty.
Image courtesy of Cynthia Stanley / Facebook.
An Illinois woman took to social media on Wednesday to tell the tale of a heartwarming interaction she had several years ago with Illinois State Trooper Nick Hopkins—who was recently killed in the line of duty.
In a Facebook post, Cynthia Stanley recalled how one day in 2015 when she ran out of gasoline and was stopped on the side of the road, Hopkins came to her aid by taking her to a gas station, helping her get gas and a gas can, then filling her tank with the fuel she'd need to get to the station to fill all the way up.
"During this event he smiled the entire time and talked about his newborn twins and being a doting husband. He was excited about seeing his babies grow and being a husband to his wife," she wrote. "He shared some endearing moments and I never forgot him. I did the unpopular thing at the time and posted a picture that i took with him thanking him for his kindness."
She continued, "Over the weekend while working in the ER one of my peers was reading out loud an article about a state trooper that had been shot and killed while serving a warrant in Washington Park. My heart about sunk and my first thought was, 'Please don't let it be him. Please don't let it be him....' It was him. Tears filled up in my eyes as I continued to read the rest of the article. His twins are now 4 years old and he and his wife had a new baby. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children as well as with the rest of the family."
She concluded, "This is beyond my understanding. He was one of the good ones just making a living like the rest of us and building a legacy for his family. His kindness will forever live within my heart and I thank him. Rest in peace #NicholasHopkins."
The Facebook post has been shared more than 38,000 times.
More Patrol
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →
NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month
Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.
Read More →
National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today
A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police
The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.
Read More →
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.
Read More →
What Should Be in Your IFAK?
What should every officer include in an IFAK? Sydney Vail, M.D., a veteran trauma surgeon and former SWAT surgeon, explains which components are needed and which are not, and stresses training.
Read More →