Lower Chichester police officer being hailed a hero after saving woman

LOWER CHICHESTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WTXF) - A Delaware County cop is being hailed a hero. One key here? He patrols with his windows rolled down and his ears on high alert.

"As I pulled out of the parking lot that's when I heard a faint scream," Lower Chichester Police Officer Tim McBride said.

The screams kept getting louder and louder as Officer Tim McBride got closer to the intersection of Ridge and Market in Lower Chichester.

It was about 12:30 a.m. last Thursday night, McBride on routine patrol and quickly determined the commotion was coming from Stella's Cleaners.

McBride says a man--now identified as 56-year-old Richard Simmons--was behind the counter on top of woman who was screaming for her life. McBride says drew his weapon ordering Simmons to stop and get on the ground, but he says the suspect started to come towards him. That's when McBride says he put his gun in his holster and tased Simmons who fell to the ground as backup arrived.

Chief Thomas Gaspari says it's one of the best pieces of police work he's seen in his 16 years here.

McBride who always rides with his windows down says he's just glad he heard the 46-year-old woman's screams and arrived in time

"Of course, people are calling me a hero, I'm just out there doing a job and protecting the community. That's all I want to do," he said.