Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In April, 1979 i was still attending the Il. State Police Academy as a cadet. I was driving in my car back to the academy when i heard of the incident on the car public radio. The next day in class a seasoned Trooper came to talk to our class and shared some of the details of the traffic stop and shoot out. Apparently Trooper McCarter had been wounded in the neck and was attempting to talk to headquarters on the radio. I recall seeing some of the crime scene photos where his squad car trunk was up and the sleeve for his shotgun was draped over the rear bumper showing that he had been able to retrieve his shotgun during the shoot out. Needless to say we were much aware of officer safety from the beging of our careers. Rest in Peace to all the officers and their families.

Retired Sgt. Jack Jackson #2544
Il. State Police

June 29, 2024

Trooper McCarter-
It’s been so many years since that fateful night. I met you when you first transferred to Distinct 6A. You rode with me for several shifts to familiarize yourself with the area. I was off the night of the incident. But I will never forget it or you. I have a scrapbook devoted to you and what happened that night.
Rest in peace and know that your memory lives on n so many lives.

Milo Miller

Trooper Milo miller
Illinois State Police

March 10, 2023

Today makes 43 years without you. I wish I could have met you Papaw, but I'm you and Mary Pat's oldest granddaughter, Patrick's first baby. I wish that you could see who I've become because I know you'd love me and Hannah, my sister. Rest well Mike. We all love you.

Aubrey McCarter
Granddaughter

April 7, 2022

Rest in peace Trooper McCarter.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 26, 2020

The Illinois State Police lives forever, and since you were an Illinois State Trooper YOU will live forever. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Trooper A.M. Unal
Illinois State Police

April 19, 2020

Michael is my cousin I never got to meet him in person but I did through letters between him and my dad, which I found out they had grown up together and were best friends. Michael not only Served his Country but came Home and Served and Protected his Family and fellow citizens. His death was devastating to our family as all our Heroes!

Victoria McCarter Villanueva

September 16, 2019

Mike was a friend, we worked together and goofed of together. I still miss I'm to this day. I was on the Paxton Police Department at the time. Bill, the Paxton officer was my partner. This event will stay with me as long as I live. Still today I serve law enforcement but now as a Chaplain.

Chaplain Ronald Rasmus
Indiana State Police

April 8, 2018

It's been almost 10 years now and you still live deep in my heat and mind.
My mom is now with my dad (John MCCarter) we just sold our home and while packing I found the box of letters you wrote to uncle John, my dad, all the memories he told about came flooding over me, I was at out MCCarter family reunion theirs August 6, 2017, uncle Dick is still with us, I told everyone about this site, we have 4th generation cousin's now and they didn't know of you. Every time I receive an OD email I pray. We will see each other again, I will continue to carry the picture you sent my dad when you were in the Service, LOVE, PRIDE, RESPECT!!

May GOD be with you all!
In Loving Memory of Illinois State Trooper Michael K. MCCarter 9 years of Service.

November 18, 2017

Trooper McCarter,I first met you in 1978,when I was a rookie.Not even a year had passed and I was attending your funeral.Iwas working afternoon patrol,on April 07th,1979,the night of the gun battle.I have a memorial of you and Patrolman O.Caise,on my wall.I will never you.You are a true HERO.

Seargeant James O.Broughton#2331
Illinois State Police(retd)Dist#Chgo.

November 5, 2017

Trooper McCarter,I first met you in 1978,when I was a rookie.Not even a year had passed and I was attending your funeral.Iwas working afternoon patrol,on April 07th,1979,the night of the gun battle.I have a memorial of you and Patrolman O.Caise,on my wall.I will never you.You are a true HERO.

Seargeant James O.Broughton#2331
Illinois State Police(retd)Dist#Chgo.

November 5, 2017

Trooper McCarter's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 10-2-17 to remember and honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
Richton Park Police

October 2, 2017

Your memory and your service will always be honored. Our prayers are with you and Mary Pat and Patrick and family.

Paulette J. Fisher
friend

October 24, 2016

I was never fortunate to know this amazing man, but I was fortunate to know his family. He had the most amazing and wonderful wife and son. I know that he has to be looking down with a smile to see them and the life they made for themselves after being delta the hand they were. The are truly wonderful loving people that I feel honored to have had the chance to get to know

Michele Berg..... (Threlkel)

October 14, 2016

Mike McCarter was my cousin. The civilian killed in the incident was also a family member. I was just made aware of this memorial site by another cousin. Thank you for keeping the memories of these fine officers alive. I knew Mike as a fine man from a good family.

David McCarter
Cousin of Trooper McCarter

July 20, 2016

Trooper McCarter thank you for your service. You worked with my father in District 2. I remember you stopping by for coffee with him. He always mentions what a hero and a fighter you were and the cowards had to ambush you in order to take your life. You are an inspiration and all law enforcement officers should read about your ordeal. I am currently in my 20 th year with the ISP. I have every new trooper I train familiarize themselves with your incident. God Bless You on the 37th Anniversary.

Trooper
Illinois State Police

April 7, 2016

I started my career in L. E. about 5 months before this tragedy. I remember when it happened and all the "older guys" talking about it. Now I'm an "older guy" and I visit this site weekly.
R. I. P.

J. G. Sanders

February 11, 2015

I was a 17 year old kid who grew up on Decatur's N. side. One night (April 7th, 1979) I drove by my buddy's house on E. Mound Rd, and noticed an Illinois State Police car parked beside his house in the Church Of God parking lot. Being a nosy kid I approached the Trooper and asked him if anything was going on. The Trooper relied saying nothing was wrong and that he was only watching for speeders along Mound Rd.
The Police car he was driving was a 77 or 78 Plymouth Fury. The car was white and was fully marked. The Trooper was showing me all the radios and police equipment inside the car. At one point he allowed me to sit in the front passenger seat and he also allowed me to ride with him as he conducted a traffic stop at Greenswitch Rd, and Mound Rd. Once we returned back to the church parking lot I was talking to him we he suddenly told me to be quite. I could hear some type of alert tones coming from his radio's. You could tell by the their exited voices that something was wrong. The Trooper advised me that one of his fellow officers had just been shot near Paxton. The Trooper listened to the radio traffic a little longer before instructing me to exit his car. I last seen him driving off E/B, I am sure he was headed towards Paxton. The following day I heard on the news that Trooper McCarter and Officer Caisse were Killed in a gunfight along I-57.

This was very disturbing to a 17 year old kid. I had never forgot that incident. Trooper McCarter and Officer Caisse went above and beyond their call of duty that night and paid the ultimate price. Thank you both for your service and may you both rest in peace. I also want to commend Officer Larry Hale who by his heroic actions was able to stop the gunfight.

I always wondered who the Trooper was I rode with that night and I will probably never know.

I am a 24 year veteran with the Macon County Sheriff's Department and to this day I talk to fellow officers about this incident.

Detective Mark Rade
Macon County Sheriff's Department IL.

October 17, 2014

I was associated with Mike during the time he was assigned to Dist. 2 in Du Page County along the I55 corridor prior to going to the Paxton area. Mike was a great guy and a person you don't forget.

Officer Richard Mayor, retired
Burr Ridge Police Department

April 15, 2014

I was a step 1 recruit at the Champaign Police department ( 30 miles South of Paxton) I was working that night and heard the frantic ISPERN dispatch from D6A. As I listened to the radio traffic that night, I realized how dangerous police work is and how little the public understands. I cannot go by the I57 bridge at the 259MP Southbound and not think of that night.

Mark Medlyn
Champaign IL Police (ret)

April 7, 2014

Trooper McCarter, the first time I heard your name was when I read the newspaper in 1979, while on break in the lunchroom at the Jewel grocery store in Chicago. It was front page news about the shootout in Paxton, Il I was in the process of testing to be an Illinois State Trooper and when I got home my parents were worried about my choice of profession. I told them this what I was going to do no matter what. I never forgot your name. I was selected to go to the ISP Academy in 1980, graduated in 1981 and was assigned Dist 4 in south Cook County. My primary FTO Trooper George Ketter, your classmate, had your picture taped to the big domelight as his reminder of your sacrifice. It kept me on the edge, always vigilant. I served 27 years with the ISP and am now retired. I will never forget the night of your last traffic stop. I have been retired now for 5 years, and still think about the night in Paxton, that those events could have happened to any Trooper/Police officer at any time.

Never Forgotten!!

Ret. Special Agent Phil Girten#2792
ISP Dist. 5

May 7, 2013

Mike, Mary Pat and little Patric were my neighbors at this tragic time. Mike was someone you could meet and have instant respect for. He had this beautiful wife and their relatively new son Patrick. Life was great starting out in their new community. How it was all changed in such a short time. I will never forget any of this family even though I've moved away from that area now. Mike, I think you for your service and I thank your family for sharing you with the rest of us. It was a privilege to have know you. I will never forget you and my children will never forget you. We still talk about the most wonderful man, our neighbor.

Von Pilkington
Friend/old neighbor

April 24, 2013

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. You have not been forgotten

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 7, 2013

Trooper,

Thank you for your sacrifice. We will not forget you.

Trooper
Illinois State Police D15

April 5, 2013

Thank you for your heroism Trooper. A true hero your were... RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

November 19, 2012

Will never forget him, and great man and friend

Deouty Sheriff
Du Page County

November 6, 2012