'He Was The Epitome Of What We Look For' In Officers: Park Forest Mourns Rookie Cop Shot On Duty

PARK FOREST, IL — Park Forest Police Deputy Chief John DeCeault can count two times he's cried as an adult: one was the day Tim Jones was shot.

A rookie cop on the job for just months at the time, Jones was critically injured in March 2016 while exchanging gunfire with an armed suspect who first opened fire on police. Jones, who was a Tinley Park native, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including two to the head.

DeCeault was a detective at the time, called to the scene. Today, he recalls Jones as a fledgling cop with boundless potential.

On Dec. 3, nearly a decade after he was shot and left paralyzed, Jones died. He was 34 years old.

"Tim stood out at that time as extremely smart, great personality, outgoing, always smiling," DeCeault said. "He was one of the newer officers we had high hopes for. I do remember working a few cases, assisting patrol with Timmy being involved in those cases. He was just so eager to learn.

"... So eager to learn, just loved the job. He was the epitome of what we look for as Park Forest officers."

So much so, DeCeault said, that he and others find themselves looking for glimmers of Jones as they recruit for new officers.

"Basically what we’re looking for, is Tim," DeCeault said. "People who have the values of Tim. For him only being an officer nine months, it shows how respected he was as a young officer."

| READ: 'Indeed A Superhero': Rookie Cop Shot In Line Of Duty 9 Years Ago Dies At 34 |

Jones was shot while by a suspect he was attempting to arrest following a reported residential break-in. That suspect, identified as Thurman Reynolds, 21, of Park Forest, opened fire on officers, and was ultimately fatally shot by police.

"In March of 2016, Tim’s life changed forever when he was critically wounded in the line of duty," the department wrote. "He was shot multiple times while bravely taking an armed offender into custody.

"We were told he wouldn’t survive, but Tim had other plans. With the strength and determination that defined him, he fought back. Day after day, year after year, he pushed through challenges most of us can’t imagine. For nearly 10 years, Tim showed us what courage, resilience, and heart truly look like."

The years that followed would be a battle many couldn't imagine enduring, but one colleagues say Jones faced with enduring bravery and optimism. Jones' courage inspired a #TimStrong social media tag that went viral, reaching far beyond the Park Forest community. Thousands rallied around him.

"Yesterday, Tim’s long and difficult battle came to an end," the Park Forest Police Department said Thursday on social media. "And while our hearts are broken, we remain incredibly proud of the fight he gave. Tim will always be an inspiration and a reminder of the power of strength, faith, and the unwavering support of family and loved ones."

In 2020, the department retired badge number 204—reserving it for Jones in perpetuity. It was the first time Park Forest police have ever retired a badge number for an officer.

"Typically badge numbers at the Park Forest Police Department are recycled as officers get promoted, retire, or otherwise leave and new officers fill those positions," said then-police chief Christopher Mannino. "We have never before reserved a badge number for an officer, however, it became clear that badge number 204 was clearly identified as being Tim’s both within the police department and within the community, so we felt that a great way to honor him would be to officially reserve the badge number through resolution by the Village Board."

The retirement of Jones' badge number was commemorated with a plaque displayed in the lobby of the Park Forest Police Department. He was also made an honorary detective.

"He’s had a detective desk ever since," DeCeault said. "It’ll probably never be removed."

His locker remains untouched, he added. A Tim Jones street sign still hangs from a light pole on Indianwood Boulevard, just steps from where a dozen Park Forest police vehicles park, one with "Tim Strong 204" printed in large blue letters across its back doors.

Jones' story spread far and wide, DeCeault added, and it isn't unusual still now, nearly a decade later, that people would stop a Park Forest officer to ask "How's Tim doin'?"

"There’s so much support," DeCeault said.

"Tim’s never gonna be forgotten. He still has his locker, he’ll always have his locker, we’ll never get rid of it.

"There's not a day that goes by, where Tim doesn’t pop up in our head."

Public funeral arrangements had not yet been finalized as of Thursday morning, the department said.