George Tiller
American physician from Wichita, Kansas murdered by anti-abortion extremist (1941-2009) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Richard Tiller, MD (August 8, 1941 – May 31, 2009)[1] was an American physician. He was from Wichita, Kansas. He became well-known as the medical director of Women's Health Care Services, one of only three clinics nationwide to provide late-term abortions at the time.[2]
George Tiller | |
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Born | George Richard Tiller (1941-08-08)August 8, 1941 |
Died | May 31, 2009(2009-05-31) (aged 67) Wichita, Kansas, U.S. |
Cause of death | Homicide |
Education | University of Kansas (zoology, 1963) University of Kansas School of Medicine (1967) Internship, United States Navy |
Known for | Pro-choice advocacy |
Relatives | Jeanne Elizabeth (Guenther) Tiller, widow Dean Jackson "Jack" Tiller, MD, father (1916–1970) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Family medicine |
Institutions | Owner-operator of Women's Health Care – Wichita, Kansas (1975–2009) |
During his tenure with the center, which began in 1975 and continued the medical practice of his father, Tiller was targeted with protest and violence by anti-abortion groups and individuals. After his clinic was firebombed in 1986, Tiller was shot in both arms by anti-abortion extremist Shelley Shannon in 1993.
On May 31, 2009, Tiller was fatally shot in the side of the head by anti-abortion extremist Scott Roeder, as Tiller served as an usher during the Sunday morning service at his church in Wichita.[3] Roeder was convicted of murder on January 29, 2010, and sentenced to life imprisonment.