Another Brother lost. Officer Bradley Fox, EOW 9-13-2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012


Authorities Identify Officer Fox's Murderer

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph Lawrence announce preliminary results of the investigation into the murder of Plymouth Township Police Officer Bradley Fox.

On Thursday, September 13, 2012 beginning at approximately 5:16 PM, officers from the Plymouth Township Police Department were investigating a three (3) car accident at 1215 East Ridge Pike in the Conshohocken section of Plymouth Township.

At 5:42 PM, while conducting traffic control at the accident scene, officers observed a silver, 2006 Infiniti SUV, traveling at a high rate of speed, passing stopped traffic in the opposing lane of traffic. Officer Bradley Fox and backup began to follow the Infiniti SUV from Ridge Pike onto southbound Conshohocken Road. While traveling on Conshohocken Road, the Infiniti struck a white Chrysler 300 Sedan and fled the scene. Upon arrival at the location of the hit and run, officers were informed by another motorist that the striking vehicle drove onto Ernest Station Road. Officer Fox followed the path of the striking vehicle and found it abandoned on Ernest Station Road. Within minutes, Officer Fox and his K-9 partner Nick began a foot pursuit and radioed for backup. Officer Fox and his K9 partner pursued the suspect into an industrial area alongside the Schuylkill River Trail.

Responding officers located Officer Fox on the grass between the Schuylkill River trail and the train tracks above the trail. It was apparent he had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and they called for emergency medical backup. Officers responded from multiple jurisdictions and immediately began to establish a perimeter to secure the area and locate Officer Fox's killer. With assistance of multiple police agencies and canine search teams, the killer was located. He had sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest and was deceased.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the killer, Andrew Charles Thomas, age 44, (DOB: 01/28/1968) abandoned the stolen car he was driving, fled from the officer and was hiding on the hill above the train tracks obscured by tall weeds. Crime scene evidence indicated he ambushed Officer Fox by firing at least four shots at the officer and his K-9 partner from an elevated vantage point where Officer Fox could not view him.

Dr. Erica Williams conducted an autopsy of Officer Fox's body. She found he suffered a single gunshot wound to the head; the manner of his death was homicide.

Dr. Erica Williams conducted an autopsy on Thomas' body. She identified one direct contact wound to his chest and a second close contact wound to his chest. Dr. Erica Williams determined the cause of Thomas' death was gunshot wounds to the chest; the manner of death was suicide.

Officer Fox's K-9 partner Nick suffered a graze bullet wound and is receiving veterinary care.

At the time of the incident, Thomas was on probation in Montgomery County after pleading guilty to a forgery charge on 5/22/2012. The forgery charge resulted from a 2005 incident in Upper Merion when he used $140.00 worth of counterfeit Acme gift certificates. After failing to appear for his original arraignment in 2005, the defendant had been a fugitive for seven years. Lower Merion Police successfully apprehended him on May 21, 2012 and he pleaded guilty the next day.

DA Ferman and Chief Lawrence wish to extend sincere thanks to the many agencies assisting in the initial response and investigation of these events, as well as those providing support for the family of Officer Fox and the Plymouth Township Police Department.


Approved for release:


District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman
Plymouth Township Police Chief Joe Lawrence

www.montcopa.org/da/CWP/View.asp?a=1625&q=87746