The secret service agent credited with saving President Ronald Reagan’s life on the day he was shot outside a Washington hotel has died. Jerry Parr died on Friday in the capital, at the age of 85.
Parr was in charge of Reagan’s detail on 30 March 1981 when John Hinckley Jr shot the president outside the Washington Hilton. When the shots rang out, Parr pushed Reagan inside the presidential limousine and it sped away for the White House.
After Reagan complained of chest pains and showed blood on his lips, Parr redirected the limousine to George Washington hospital. It turned out Reagan had been hit in the chest and was bleeding internally. Doctors later said that any delay would have cost the president his life.
In a statement Friday, former first lady Nancy Reagan called Parr “one of my true heroes”.
Parr was born on 16 September 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama. An air force veteran, he joined the secret service in 1962. He retired in 1985 and became an ordained minister.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and three daughters.
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion