Incident
Trooper Nicholas Hopkins was shot and killed while serving a search warrant at a home at 1426 North 42nd Street and Caseyville Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois.
He and other members of the Emergency Response Team were making entry into the home at 5:30 am when he was shot by an occupant during an exchange of gunfire.
The subject plead guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Trooper Hopkins had served with the Illinois State Police for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, children, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-044203B1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Hopkins gave the Illinois State Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Hopkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Nicholas John Hopkins is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Illinois State Police, 17 of 67 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas John Hopkins's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas John Hopkins Compares
Offender Outcome
40 years prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas John Hopkins is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas John Hopkins was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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