DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — An early morning shoot out last October tested the mettle of three Decatur Police Officers.
Officers Ryan Ricker and Austin Bowman, along with Sergeant Timothy Wittmer were working as part of the department's Community Action Team, also known as CAT. The team works with the Decatur Street Crimes Unit to seize illegal firearms.
On October 12, 2022, around 12:30 a.m., officers made a traffic stop in the 1300 block of E. Walnut Street. During the stop, shots were fired. DPD said an informant had told them he was in possession of a gun. Bowman and Wittmer were both injured in the shootout.
Sgt. Wittmer and his wife Becky.
Last week,the three officers were honored with the Decatur Police Department Medal of Valor. Wittmer and Bowman additionally received Purple Hearts.
"On October 12, 2022, three Decatur Police officers and a Macon County Sheriffs Deputy were involved in a life-or-death incident where a suspect fired at officers, shooting and wounding two of the DPD officers. These officers were working to keep our community safe and were out specifically targeting gun offenders. Their dedication to service and keeping our community safe nearly cost them their lives.
The bravery and heroism displayed by these officers was remarkable and exemplified the true spirit of a police officer. Despite being under fire and wounded, these officers performed as they were trained and stayed in the fight. They never quit and they never backed down. This is what they had to do to survive in that moment.
On April 7, 2022, Sergeant Timothy Wittmer, Officer Austin Bowman, and Officer Ryan Ricker were awarded the Decatur Police Department Award of Valor, awarded to officers of DPD for an extraordinary act of bravery or heroism in which the individual has demonstrated a great degree of selflessness, personal courage, and devotion to duty.
Sgt. Wittmer and Ofc. Bowman were also awarded the Decatur Police Department Purple Heart, given to an officer killed or wounded in the line of duty at the immediate hands of an assailant.
Additionally, Sgt. Wittmer, Ofc. Bowman, Ofc. Ricker and then Macon County Sheriff’s Deputy (now a DPD officer) Travis Wolfe were honored last night, April 14, 2022, by the 100 Club of Illinois, an organization dedicated to supporting first responders. These officers were awarded the 100 Club Valor Award for their heroic actions that night.
Police Officers by default are guardians of our communities. But sometimes, when evil chooses to push our limits, we have to become warriors. This incident highlights this concept. In this moment, these officers transformed into the warrior they needed to be to survive. The Decatur Police Department is proud of these officers and thank them for their service and sacrifice to our communities. Additionally, we thank their families, as they are often forgotten. It is the love and support of our families and friends that helps us through each and every day.
Congratulations to each of these officers!"
Decatur officers receive Medal of Valor from 100 Club of Illinois.
Becky Wittmer, Sgt. Wittmer’s wife, shared the photos on Facebook writing “There are really no words to express all the emotions we have. I‘m incredibly proud of my husband and I’m so glad he’s still here with us.”
