Fulton County Sheriff’s Office personnel, telecommunicator honored for actions taken during July 2022 officer-involved shooting

FULTON COUNTY (25News Now) - Members of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and a county telecommunicator are being honored by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police for their on-duty actions during a July 2022 officer-involved shooting incident.

On July 25, 2022, Sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Willdrick and Sergeant Nick Blakey were advised of a possibly armed fugitive wanted for domestic violence who was traveling to Vermont, Illinois, according to a release.

Willdrick located the suspect’s vehicle, starting a slow-speed pursuit that ended when the vehicle crashed. The suspect left the vehicle, disregarded all police commands, and as he began to walk away, pointed a gun at Willdrick and Blakey.

The FOP release says both officers shot the suspect, who died at the scene.

Both officers received the FOP Valor Award for their actions that evening.

Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Ethan McClaughrey responded to the scene, arriving shortly after the other two deputies. McClaughrey realized that he could not fire at the suspect without endangering his fellow officers.

The FOP says he took charge of all radio communications and calmly and clearly kept all responders apprised of the situation until it was resolved.

He also received the FOP Valor Award for his actions.

Fulton County Telecommunicator Megan Hickle was the dispatcher on duty the night of the shooting.

The FOP says she calmly and efficiently directed all responding units to the scene, summoned emergency medical services once the shooting occurred, and stayed on duty after her shift ended to ensure the incident was properly handled.

Hickle received the FOP Meritorious Service Award for her actions that evening.