Rookie Louisville Police Officer Shot Racing to Help Also a Firefighter, EMT

April 11, 2023
Nickolas Wilt, 26, who graduated from the police academy on March 31, is in critical condition.

The rookie Louisville Metro Police Officer who was shot in the head Monday as he raced toward a gunman in a bank, is also a firefighter and EMT.

Nickolas 'Nick' Wilt, 26, graduated from the police academy on March 31, LMPD Interim Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villarroel said during a news conference. 

"I just swore him in and his family was there to witness his journey to become a police officer," Villaroel said. 

He was on his fourth shift when he got the call to respond to the incident at the bank. He was shot in the head as he and the other officers rushed toward the active shooter, who was killed.

Five people were killed and eight were injured in the shooting.

"Nick has come out of brain surgery and is in critical but stable condition," she said, adding that she had been at the hospital with his family. 

Wilt is a volunteer with LaGrange Fire & Rescue and worked at Oldham County EMS before following his dream to become a police officer.