PLYMOUTH TWP., Pa. -
Authorities have confirmed that a police officer was killed, his K-9 partner was wounded, and a suspect was fatally shot after a hit-and-run crash Thursday night in Plymouth Township.
Officer Bradley Fox, a former Marine,was identified as the fallen officer at a news conference Thursday night.
"Plymouth Township Police lost a hero this evening," Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said. "Officer Brad Fox was killed in the line of duty responding earlier tonight to a hit-and-run crash. He was shot in the head, and he lost his life tonight."
"There are just no words that can begin to express the magnitude of this tragedy for Officer's Fox's family, his wife, for his, for his beautiful girl ... his law enforcement family in the Plymouth Police Department and the entire Montgomery County law enforcement family and community," the D.A. said.
Fox served two tours in Iraq, volunteering to go back for the second one, then underwent law enforcement training at the police academy upon his return. He became a K-9 officer, was a seven-year veteran of the police force and would have celebrated his 35th birthday on Friday.
Fox leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and his family was expecting another child, officials said.
He is the Plymouth Township Police Department's only officer to die in the line of duty.
SkyFOX flew over the scene just before 6:30 p.m. where dozens of police officers could be seen converging on the area.
Authorities confirmed the death of the second man, the suspected gunman. They did not identify him or describe the circumstances Thursday night but did say it as a senseless shooting and that they believe he was the only occupant of his vehicle.
An investigation into the shooting continues, but Plymouth Township Police Chief Joseph Lawrence said, "This was a senseless, senseless act for a car accident."
"As I stated, Brad Fox is a hero, as is every officer in this country," the chief said.
Fox graduated from a Philadelphia police program for K-9 officers in March. His K-9 partner, Nick, was also shot in Thursday's incident but is expected to be OK.
Stay with MyFOXphilly.com and Fox 29 News for more on this breaking news story.
An investigator with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office stands by his truck, parked on the ultra wide bike path along the Norristown Rail Line.
