Police Shot During A Chase, Career Ending Injuries
In the quiet hours on May 25, a police officer’s life changed forever. During what began as a routine investigation of a stolen vehicle in Romeoville, Illinois, Officer Dominic Thielmann was shot in the face and right shoulder in a dramatic foot chase that nearly claimed his life.
Police Shot During A Chase, Career Ending Injuries. In the quiet hours on May 25, a police officer’s life changed forever. During what began as a routine investigation of a stolen vehicle in Romeoville, Illinois, Officer Dominic Thielmann was shot in the face and right shoulder in a dramatic foot chase that nearly claimed his life.
Now, Thielmann is speaking out about the incident, his long road to recovery, and how the near-fatal encounter has redefined his life, career, and mission.
“I was chasing a suspect on foot, something that happens often in our line of work. I never imagined that night would end with a gun pointed at me and my life flashing before my eyes,” Thielmann said during an interview. Listen to the interview with him as a Free Podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
The shooting occurred around 12:15 a.m. near Sierra Trail and Summerfield Drive in Romeoville. Thielmann and fellow officers had been investigating a stolen vehicle when the suspect bolted, prompting a pursuit that ended in a harrowing exchange of gunfire. Thielmann was struck, leaving him with injuries so severe they would ultimately end his career in law enforcement. Police Shot During A Chase, Career Ending Injuries.
Despite his wounds, Thielmann survived. He was rushed to a Hospital in Maywood, where doctors stabilized him. Authorities later charged the suspect with armed robbery and set bond at $5 million, without the option of the usual 10% release.
In a public statement, the Romeoville Police Department expressed its appreciation for the overwhelming support Thielmann and his family received.
“The Romeoville Police Department would like to express sincere gratitude to those who have shown their support for Officer Thielmann and his family,” the department said in a news release.
The Village of Romeoville, located about 26 miles southwest of Chicago in Will County, rallied around Thielmann. Community members, law enforcement colleagues, and officials alike offered support.
"The staff and the community really came together to support Dominic and our RPD family. We couldn’t be more thankful," said Village Manager Dawn Caldwell.
After six years with the department, most recently as a tactical officer in the Investigations Unit, Thielmann's days in uniform are now behind him. But his commitment to public service remains stronger than ever.
“I can’t do the job the way I used to,” he shared. “But that doesn’t mean I’m done making an impact.”
Thielmann has since redirected his energy toward helping others through Beyond The Dispatch, a podcast he co-created to share the stories of first responders and highlight the mental, emotional, and physical toll their careers can take. He uses his platform to shine a light on critical but often stigmatized issues like PTSD, trauma, and suicide among law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel. Police Shot During A Chase, Career Ending Injuries.
“I’ve had so many officers, firefighters, and dispatchers reach out through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), just to say thank you for talking about the things we’re usually afraid to admit we’re feeling,” Thielmann said.
Through Beyond The Dispatch, Thielmann not only recounts his own experiences but also provides a space for others to share theirs. The podcast has become a growing social media presence and a trusted resource for first responders across the country.
He admits that there are still many details about the shooting he cannot legally discuss due to the ongoing court proceedings, but he doesn’t shy away from describing the pain, both physical and emotional, that followed the incident.
“The doctors told me I was lucky to be alive. The shot to my face could’ve ended it all,” he said. “I wake up every day with the effects of what happened. The injuries will never fully heal. But I choose to make them part of my purpose.”
Thielmann’s story is a sobering reminder of the risks police officers face daily. But it’s also a story of resilience, transformation, and purpose after trauma. What could have ended his life has instead fueled a mission to support others in uniform. Police Shot During A Chase, Career Ending Injuries.
“I may no longer wear the badge,” he said, “but I’ll never stop serving.”
You can follow Dominic Thielmann’s journey and hear the the interview with him as a free Podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website als on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or most major podcast platforms. Follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for more insights into life after the badge and the stories of first responders across the nation.
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Police Shot During A Chase, Career Ending Injuries.
Attributions
John J Wiley
Retired Police Sergeant, Music Radio Personality, Talk Radio Show Host, Podcaster and Producer
John J. Wiley is a retired Police Sergeant turned radio personality. He has been a full time FM Music Radio DJ since 2005. In 2017 he founded the Law Enforcement Today Podcast, in a partnership with Robert Greenberg of Law Enforcement Today. The show is now named the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast.
Within a couple months a radio station heard an episode of the podcast and asked him to create a radio version, which he did. It has been syndicated since the Spring of 2017 and has numerous affiliate radio stations across the US.
