Timothy Davlin, American politician, Mayor of Springfield, Illinois (since 2003), died from suicide by gunshot he was , 53

Timothy J. Davlin  was the mayor of the U.S. city of Springfield, Illinois, from April 2003 until his death in December 2010 died from suicide by gunshot he was , 53. Though the Mayor's office is officially non-partisan, the Illinois capital has a strong tradition of partisanship, even for municipal races, and both major parties of Sangamon County endorse candidates. Davlin had the backing of the Democratic Party.

(August 27, 1957 – December 14, 2010)

Background

Davlin was born on August 27, 1957 in Springfield, Illinois. He attended Springfield's Griffin High School and earned an Associate Arts Degree from Springfield College and attended Sangamon State University (now known as the University of Illinois at Springfield). Davlin worked for the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office as a non-merit Deputy from 1980-1982.

He started in the financial and insurance business in 1981 when he became a Registered Representative with AXA Advisor, LLC. He provided financial products and services to individuals and businesses. He sat on the board of directors of the Mid-West Truckers Association, Inc. and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Municipal League and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. His community involvement included current Past President, Past Secretary, Board of Managers for Oak Ridge Cemetery; Past President (four terms) past Board Member, Springfield Columbus Home Association; Past Board Member, Past Secretary for Springfield's Catholic Charities; former Co-Chairman of Breadline Sunday for St. John's Breadline; and former Secretary/Treasurer and Past President of the Sons and Daughters of Erin.
Davlin was a Past Grand Knight (four terms) and Past Trustee for the Knights of Columbus Council #364. He was one of the youngest men inducted into the Knights of Columbus Diocesan Hall of Fame for exemplary service to the organization. He was a member of St. Agnes' Parish in Springfield, and served on various fundraising committees during the construction on the church and its school. He was a member of the Springfield Motor Boat Club and Illini Country Club.
He was elected to a second term on April 19, 2007. However, the Republican-endorsed candidates unexpectedly won nearly every seat on the Springfield City Council, in that same election. Terms for Springfield municipal officials run for four years.

Controversies

Davlin was under investigation for unpaid taxes, owing nearly $90,000 to the IRS.^[2]

Death

Davlin was found dead in his home on the morning of December 14, 2010 from a gunshot wound to the chest, which was self-inflicted.^[3] He was 53 years old. He had been scheduled to appear in court that morning in reference to the estate of his late cousin. There were allegations that $187,000 from the cousin's estate, which was earmarked for Catholic Charities, had disappeared. The investigation of his death was turned over to the Illinois State Police, the only law enforcement agency in the area with which Davlin had no immediate connection. An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, 2010, to verify the cause of death, according to the State Police and the Sangamon County coroner's office. Springfield Ward 3 Alderman Frank Kunz, who is the mayor pro tempore of the city of Springfield, was sworn into office the same day as the acting mayor of Springfield. On December 28th, 2010, Ward 1 Alderman Frank Edwards was sworn in as mayor relieving Frank Kunz as mayor pro tempore. ^[4] The Springfield Superintendent of Schools, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, U.S. Senator and Majority Whip Dick Durbin, U.S. Representative Aaron Schock, Illinois State Senator Larry Bomke, and Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois all released statements of condolence upon hearing of Mayor Davlin's death.^[5] Davlin's funeral drew more than 1000 mourners who came to pay their respects and there was a total of 100 cars in the funeral procession itself.^{[citation needed]}
On January 20th, 2011, Sgt. Brad Sterling of the Illinois State Police testified during an inquest hearing that Timothy Davlin had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sangamon County Coroner's office ruled the death as a suicide. Toxicology reports were negative for alcohol or drugs. A bullet was fired from a six-shot revolver and traveled through Davlin's heart and into the seat of a Lincoln Navigator owned by Davlin. Items found in the passenger area of the Navigator included the revolver, a police radio, and a cordless home telephone. It is unknown if a suicide note was found, as Sterling declined to answer questions. ^[6]

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