The Killing of Jimmy Carr

On May 25, 1997, Jimmy Carr and his wife Tammy were at a party hosted by Tammy’s brother on Ridge Avenue.

Around 10:30 p.m. Jimmy and Tammy got into an argument revolving around Jimmy being ready to leave but Tammy wishing to stay longer. Jimmy drove off in his car eventually returning with a handgun in hand.

Robbie Ryland, reportedly a childhood friend of Tammy, seen Jimmy return with a gun so he went to tell Tammy before going to confront Jimmy on his return in the hopes of calming him down.

It’s unreported what was said between Jimmy and Robbie but the interaction ended when Jimmy shot and killed Robbie.

Jimmy ran off as police were called.

A search party was led by the Rockford police department. RPD officer Kurt Whisenand found Jimmy a couple blocks over hiding behind a fence. They ordered Jimmy to stand up and drop the gun.

When Jimmy stood up with the gun in hand still, Whisenand shot and killed Jimmy.

The gun Jimmy had was empty at the time he was killed.

Tammy in a news story to RRStar in June of 1997, described Jimmy as a hard working family man. Jimmy attended Auburn High School before working as a machinist and grinder at Liebovich Brothers Inc.

Robbie Ryland was described by his brother as an outgoing young man from a tight knit family. He graduated from West High School before for Dyna-Bur Inc.

Kurt Whisenand was found justified in his killing.

This was the 11th shooting by police in Winnebago County in the 1990’s - all have been justified.

This was the first police shooting of 1997 in Winnebago County.