A veteran Pittsburgh police officer known for keeping his cool under pressure and using humor to defuse tense situations was one of four officers wounded while responding to an active shooter Saturday at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Pittsburgh police Officer Timothy Matson cracked jokes in his hospital room Sunday, a day after he was shot multiple times and critically injured while confronting the shooter who killed 11 people.
“We were in his hospital room today, visiting, and as soon as we walk in he’s already cracking jokes,” Cmdr. Jason Lando said. “He’s in that situation, where his life is the one in danger, and everyone is so worried about him — but he’s cracking jokes and it makes everyone feel better.”
That’s just the type of guy he is, Cmdr. Lando said. Officer Matson joined the department in 2005 and was assigned to Zone 5. He has been a part of the city’s SWAT team since 2016.
“When bullets are flying and people’s lives are in danger, Tim Matson is the guy you want going through the door,” Cmdr. Lando said. “He’s the guy who goes in and calmly gets the job done.”
An online fundraising campaign for Officer Matson raised nearly $20,000 Sunday.
He is one of four officers injured during the attack. Zone 4 Officer Michael Smidga was wounded, as were a second patrol officer and second member of the SWAT team.
Two of the wounded officers have been released from the hospital, police said Sunday. The other two face longer recoveries, Chief Scott Schubert said. He and others praised the officers’ actions during the shooting, and said they saved lives.
“They were heroic,” said Bob Swartzwelder, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1. “They engaged in a substantial gunfight at the doorway, they engaged and suffered some serious injuries, both patrol and SWAT, at great peril to themselves.”
Also wounded in Saturday’s attack were Andrea Wedner, 61, whose 97-year-old mother, Rose Mallinger, was killed, and Daniel Leger, 70, who was shot in the torso.
Ms. Wedner and Mr. Leger both remained hospitalized Sunday. Mr. Leger, who is a nurse and UPMC chaplain, remained in critical condition following surgery at UPMC Presbyterian, his brother Paul Leger said. He likely will undergo additional procedures.
Paul Leger said his brother had been expected to lead a service Saturday morning at Tree of Life.
Correction: A previous version of this story had an incorrect first name for Officer Michael Smidga.
Adam Smeltz contributed to this report.
Shelly Bradbury: 412-263-1999, sbradbury@post-gazette.com or follow @ShellyBradbury on Twitter. Adam Smeltz: 412-263-2625, asmeltz@post-gazette.com, @asmeltz.
First Published: October 29, 2018, 12:29 a.m.
