Man Pleads Guilty In 2008 Auto Death of Philadelphia Cop Tim Simpson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Bucks County man today changed his plea to guilty, just before his trial was to begin in for the death of a Philadelphlia police officer in 2008.
The funeral of Sgt. Timothy Simpson was one of four that year for Philadelphia officers killed in the line of duty. Simpson died the driver of a stolen car, being pursued by police, collided with his cruiser at Aramingo and Allegheny Avenues while he was on an unrelated call.
Today, police officers who are longtime friends of the Simpson family read statements in court from Simpson's wife, Kathy, and 14-year-old daugher, Courtney.
Then, 44-year-old defendant William Foster -- the driver of the stolen car -- spoke. He told them he was sorry, and said he wished he could change places with the fallen officer.
John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Philadelphia, was Simpson's partner for many years. He notes that Simpson was killed a mere six months after Simpson's former partner, Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, was gunned down.
"Timmy was the one who actually went out and put the handcuffs on the killer of Sgt Liczbinski," McNesby recalls.
Judge Jeffrey Minehart sentenced Foster to 19-40 years in prison, after he serves at least 7½ years in Bucks County on unrelated charges.
Foster had 29 prior convictions in Bucks County, mostly for theft and burglary.
Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio 1060
