'A special kind of person': Rookie officer who responded to Louisville mass shooting has long resume of public service
Before Officer Nick Wilt joined the Louisville Metro Police Department in March of 2023, he already had a long resume of public service.
A graduate of Oldham County High School in 2016, Wilt immediately joined the La Grange Fire Department after graduation.
"When he first got here, he couldn't even drive a fire truck because of his age. You have to be 21," said Major Keith Smith with the La Grange Fire Department.
Wilt also became a member of the Oldham County Emergency Medical Services Dispatch team and a registered emergency medical technician with Baptist Health in both Henry and Oldham counties.
"He's one those guys that would sometimes fly under the radar because he did such a good job," said Major John Luker with Baptist Health Oldham County Emergency Services. "So he probably never realized how much he was appreciated while he was active with us."
In March, Officer Wilt was sworn in with LMPD. Just two weeks after his graduation, Officer Wilt was shot in the line of duty after responding to an active shooter call at the Old National Bank in Downtown Louisville.
"I'm absolutely not surprised that he was in among the first [to respond]. He was going to do whatever he could to save people. And I'm convinced that he and his partners and the other officers did save a lot of people," said Major Luker.
"There's not many people that you're going to find that would just go running in and not know one person in that building," said Major Smith. "But that's what you are taking an oath to do. It's very serious thing to do that. It takes a special kind of person, and I believe that Officer Wilt is a special kind of person."
As of Tuesday evening, Officer Wilt is listed in stable but critical condition at UofL Hospital. For updates on all the victims and their conditions, click here.
Major Smith said Wilt had to take a leave of absence at the La Grange Fire while he trained with LMPD, but was eager to return as a volunteer firefighter and EMT upon his LMPD graduation.
"I can't think of too many folks that can do that all at once," said Major Smith. "[He is] very much into his community."
Both Major Smith and Major Luker said the first responder community in Oldham County is dealing with this tragedy together.
"He wasn't just in one part. He permeated the community here. He was literally in all parts," said Major Luker. "Everybody knew him, and we're really trying to all pull together and be strong for him and his family."
"In my honest opinion, however you believe, I think that God's got a plan for Officer Wilt, and I'm very proud to know him," said Major Smith. "He's not going anywhere. He's always going to be a member of the department, and we're always going to be there for whatever future may hold."
Wilt's girlfriend also works for Oldham County Emergency Services. Wilt's brother, Zack, is currently in LMPD's police academy.