Trooper Michael K. McCarter

Trooper Michael K. McCarter

Illinois State Police, Illinois

End of Watch Saturday, April 7, 1979

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Michael K. McCarter

Trooper Michael McCarter and Patrolman William Caisse, of the Paxton Police Department, were shot and killed following a traffic stop on I-57 south of Paxton, Illinois.

At about 9:00 pm, Patrolman Caisse was dispatched to assist Trooper McCarter who was attempting to stop four speeding vehicles traveling southbound. Once at the scene, one subject fled to an overpass area and began firing at both officers, mortally wounding Trooper McCarter and a civilian who was riding with him. Upon the arrival of another Paxton officer, gunfire continued from the overpass area as another subject retrieved a rifle from the rear of his pickup truck, shooting Patrolman Caisse in the back, killing him instantly.

That suspect then began firing at the other officer, wounding him in the right leg and chest, before he was able to return fire four times with a shotgun. As the suspect fell to the ground and reached for his weapon, the officer fired his revolver and killed him.

The four subjects, all brothers and members of an auto parts theft ring based in Detroit, were traveling from Michigan to Mississippi to attend their grandmother's funeral and feared the officers would find their weapons when they were stopped. A third brother was also killed in the shootout while a fourth was not implicated in the incident.

The suspect who fired from the overpass area was found wounded the following day. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was twice overturned and he was later re-sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 1993, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed the offender's sentence.

Trooper McCarter, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, had served with the Illinois State Police for nine years and was assigned to District 6A. He was survived by his wife and son.

Bio

  • Age 32
  • Tour 9 years
  • Badge 1725
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Two killed, one sentenced

traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

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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

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