The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office on Friday released the name of the suspect involved in the killing of Plymouth Township Police Officer Bradley Fox.
According to District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, the suspect was identified as 44-year-old Andrew Charles Thomas.
Investigators say Thomas abandoned a stolen car he was driving and hid on a hill above the train tracks. The stolen vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run minutes earlier.
By the time Officer Fox caught up with the car, it was abandoned.
Investigators say Officer Fox and his K-9 partner began a foot chase that led him into an industrial area alongside the Schuylkill River Trail.
Evidence from the crime scene indicates Thomas ambushed Officer Fox by firing at least four shots at the officer and his K-9 partner from a higher vantage point where Fox could not see him, investigators said.
Investigators say Fox died from a single gunshot wound to his head. Officer Fox's K-9 partner suffered a graze bullet wound and is was receiving veterinary care.
According to an autopsy report released Friday, Thomas's death was a suicide.
Investigators say Thomas was on probation at the time of the incident after pleading guilty to a forgery charge in May. Prior to that charge, the district attorney says he was considered a fugitive for seven years.
Thomas was also considered as a person of interest in the disappearance of a Philadelphia woman, according to investigators.
Maria Procopio was Thomas' fiance. She disappeared in 1999 at the age of 34. Thomas would have been 31 at the time.
Detectives in that case say they focused their suspicion on Thomas, but were never able to bring charges.
Earlier Friday, several police motorcycles could be seen escorting the hearse carrying the body of Officer Fox from the hospital to a funeral home.
Fox leaves behind a wife and daughter. The family was expecting a second child, officials said.
Fox is the Plymouth Police Department's only officer to die in the line of duty.
Stay with myfoxphilly.com and Fox 29 News for updates on this story.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
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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.
