HONORING OFFICER TIMOTHY JONES AS HE UNDERGOES REHAB

Timothy Jones Photo Credit to Village of Park Forest
Timothy Jones Photo Credit to Village of Park Forest

HONORING OFFICER TIMOTHY JONES AS HE UNDERGOES REHAB

By Christopher Shuttlesworth

Police Officer Timothy Jones is a 25-year-old man whose commitment to serving the Park Forest community led him to meet the needs of several residents. But it all came to a halt when Jones was shot multiple times by an armed suspect in March 2016.

Deputy Chief Mannino said Jones is an incredibly dynamic,

outgoing and friendly person.

One of Jones’ heart filled moments was back in December 2015, when he stopped and created a video in the Park Forest police

station to thank everyone who participated in the “No Shave November” competition, which raised money for Breast Cancer

Awareness Month.

Although Jones received hundreds of votes to become the winner of the competition, he never mentioned himself in the video because he was always focused on honoring others.

Unfortunately, on March 19, 2016, Jones was shot in the head

and chest while tackling an armed suspect, who reportedly fled a burglarized house, according to Park Forest’s Discover Magazine. Paramedics from the Park Forest Fire Department rushed Jones to Advocate Christ Medical Center where friends, family and fellow officers stayed to comfort Jones.

Mannino explained that Jones responded to the burglary call in a vacant residence and the officers on sight told the suspect to surrender but instead the suspect jumped out of a window. When Jones tried to tackle him, he was ultimately shot by the armed suspect.

“It was a very dark period and everyone was upset and shocked,” Mannino said. “But Jones showed resilience and was able to pull through. The initial pain and shock turned into hope and his family kept fighting along beside him.”

An estimated 500 people wrote well wishes to Jones on one of several poster

boards in St. Irenaeus Church. Also, a GoFundMe page was created for Jones,

and brought in $16,000 in just 24 hours to help cover his medical expenses, according to Park Forest’s Discover Magazine.

Jones is currently recovering in a rehabilitation facility and the Park Forest

Police Department has decided to form the Officer Timothy Jones Scholarship

with a minimum of $500 being given to a Park Forest youth who will major in

Criminal Justice at their desired college or university. The senior student must have

at least a 2.75 grade point average (G.P.A.) and have no significant misconduct with the law.

“We really wanted to support and give back to the community because we see a lot of support surrounding Jones and his injury,” Mannino said.

“So, we wanted to create the scholarship in his honor.” Jones is also expected to be honored at an Inaugural First Responders Street Dance on August 12, 2017 at Park Forest American Legion, located at 1631 S. Western Avenue. For more information, visit http://www.villageofparkforest.com/

index.aspx?nid=670.

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