(Video Above: NBC captures the Reagan assassination attempt)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On March 30th, 1981, only 69 days into his presidency, a madman tried to take down Ronald Reagan. Jerry Parr, a member of Reagan’s Secret Service detail, shoved the president into a waiting limo and rushed him to the hospital, a quick-thinking move that changed the course of history.
That’s right, the end of the Soviet Union, tearing down of the Berlin Wall, and “Morning in America” may have never been possible without the aid of Alabamian Jerry Parr.
Mr. Parr passed away Friday at the age of 85.
Bloomberg describes what Parr called both his “best and worst day.”
At the sound of gunfire, Parr shoved [Reagan] into the back of the presidential limousine and shouted “take off!” to the driver. As the limo raced on Parr’s orders to the White House, the agent inspected Reagan and found no visible wounds. Moments later, the president began complaining of chest pain and the agent noticed blood on Reagan’s lips.
Parr redirected the limo to George Washington University Hospital where the president collapsed just steps inside the trauma center’s doors. Doctors determined Reagan was suffering massive internal bleeding. The president went on to lose more than half of his blood before surgery halted the hemorrhaging. Reagan’s doctors credited Parr’s actions for saving his life.“If Jerry Parr took the president to the White House, Ronald Reagan would have died,” said Joseph Giordano, who was the top trauma surgeon at George Washington University Hospital where Reagan was treated. “There is no doubt in my mind. Jerry Parr is a hero.”
Joseph Clancy, director of the Secret Service, said in an e-mail that those who knew Parr “will forever be able to lean on the lessons of integrity, character and compassion that Jerry displayed at all times.”
Fittingly, it was reportedly “The Code of the Secret Service,” a Ronald Reagan movie, that inspired Parr to his career of protecting some of the most powerful men in the world.
He served on the details for multiple Vice Presidents before being assigned to manage the security of Jimmy Carter, then Ronald Reagan.
In a statement lamenting his passing, Nancy Reagan called Parr “one of my true heroes.”
“He was humble but strong, reserved but confident, and blessed with a great sense of humor,” continued Mrs. Reagan. “It is no wonder that he and my husband got along so well.”
He is survived by his wife of 56 years and their three daughters.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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