Gunshot victim honors Calumet City officer by naming son after him

CALUMET CITY, Ill. - A Pennsylvania man returned to Calumet City on Monday with a heartwarming surprise for the police officer who stood by him during one of the toughest moments of his life.

Jim Good and his wife, Ashley, visited City Hall to honor Officer Tyler Newkirk in a way no one saw coming—by introducing him to their newborn son, Sebastian "Tyler" Good, named after the officer who showed them such kindness during a terrifying ordeal.

The surprise moment came during a City Council meeting, where Mayor Thaddeus Jones and Police Chief Kevin Kolosh paused proceedings to recognize Officer Newkirk for his compassion and support during the traumatic events of July 4, 2024.

The Good family was celebrating Independence Day at a relative’s home in the 16400 block of Stateline Road when Jim was hit by a stray bullet, initially thought to be a fireworks injury.

First responders from Calumet City Police and EMS quickly arrived, provided care, and rushed him to the hospital. Officer Newkirk stayed by Jim's side the entire time, offering reassurance to his pregnant wife, who was understandably overwhelmed with fear for her husband’s life.

Fast forward to October, Jim and Ashley welcomed their baby boy and decided to honor Officer Newkirk in a special way—giving their son the middle name "Tyler."

On Monday night, the family introduced their two-month-old son to his namesake in a touching ceremony attended by city officials and police officers. 

The evening ended with a round of applause as Officer Newkirk held his namesake, a living reminder of how one act of compassion can leave a lasting impact.