An Officer's Story

Tony Huffman
Effingham Daily News

May 08, 2008 03:43 pm

— Being an Illinois State Police trooper for 30 years, Kim Rhodes has several interesting stories that came from the job, but one holds eerie notoriety.
Early in her career during a random traffic stop, an aspect of the job Rhodes describes as low-key but dangerous, a man pulled a gun on Rhodes and Cumberland County Deputy Dan Kimble. A struggle ensued between Rhodes and the gun-wielding man, leaving Rhodes with two bullets in her vest and one lodged in her lower back.
That incident occurred 25 years ago today, but the memory is vivid.
“I don’t really remember feeling anything,” said Rhodes. “The whole area just got numb.”
It was at this point, according to Rhodes, survival tactics kicked in.
Wrestling the gun away from the perpetrator, Rhodes shot him in the chest to end the battle.
On that day, Kim Rhodes became the first female Illinois State Police officer to be shot in the line of duty, the events of which are still startling.
“There is still a lot of emotion from the situation,” said Rhodes. “A man died and I still don’t know why he did this.”
The gunman had a replica police badge on his gun holster and Rhodes was told initially the man was a cop. Later investigation would reveal the man was not an officer, but possible depression or police-assisted suicide were possible motives.
“We found out that the guy was having some problems and that he was upset by the loss of money and a job,” said Rhodes. “He may have been using the police as a form of suicide.”
Putting the situation behind her, Rhodes faced further challenges when a wrongful death suit was filed against her by the suspect’s family for shooting an unarmed man. After five years, the charges were dropped due to lack of merit.
“It was tough. There is a family out there that had a relative die,” said Rhodes.
While the experience was difficult, Rhodes felt there was no alternative but to return to work.
“Working as a police officer, there were some hard times,” said Rhodes. “Still, I wouldn’t have ever quit. I love what I do.”
Now retired from Illinois State Police, Rhodes still works part time with the East Illinois State Task Force as a part-time evidence officer.
And after a career that includes being the first female officer in Decatur to being stationed from Chicago to Cairo, Rhodes has appreciated the good and dealt with the bad.
While breaking barriers in a male-dominated profession and working in District 12, the area where she was raised, the job offered many other challenges.
“There were hard times, but I just dealt with it. I told my boss in Decatur that I have 14 siblings, nine of them brothers, so there is nothing you can do that I haven’t already seen,” said Rhodes.
I have loved my job but the occupation comes with its challenges,” said Rhodes. “Beyond being in constant danger, people aren’t always thrilled with the police. People want you to enforce the laws, just not on them.”
Ultimately, it is Rhodes’ contention it’s the job police officers perform and the risks inherent to the profession that should hold people’s lasting respect.
“It is Police Memorial Week from May 11 through 17 to honor the memories of those officers that gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Rhodes. “I can go the whole year without really thinking about this, but around this time, then things get a little rough.”
The reality that Rhodes came close to having her name included on the memorial is not far from her mind this time of year.
“They hold a really impressive gathering in Washington, D.C., that I have had the honor of attending,” said Rhodes. “I was pretty close to being on the memorial wall.”
Although police go through every working day facing danger, they try to put out of their minds that the difference between life and death can be one shot.
“The worst thing that can happen as a police officer is someone being shot,” said Rhodes. “We need to remember guys like Layton Davis, Tommy Martin and Frank Dorris. These officers made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The night Rhodes was shot, her sister Carol, one of four nurses in the family, helped Dr. Ruben Boyajian remove the bullet from Rhodes’ back to avoid paralysis.
According to Rhodes, family has been a constant source of stability through it all.
For the last 25 years, her sister LuAnn Heuerman has given her daisies to mark the anniversary, a way to tell her sister she is glad she is still around.
“I always tease Kim that at least I can give her daisies instead of her pushing up her own,” said Heuerman.
Tony Huffman can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 135 or tony.huffman@effinghamdailynews.com.

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