Age: 51
Served: 1 year with NKU, with Park Hills, and 20 years with Covington
1988 to August 5, 2011

Officer Sims, of Fort Wright, Kentucky, served six years in the United States Army from 1980 to 1986 after which he joined the Covington Police Department and served as a Canine Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, Student Liaison Officer and Firearm Instructor, retiring in December 2008 as a sergeant.  He then joined the Park Hills Police Department as a patrol officer and then Northern Kentucky University Police Department and served as their firearms instructor and on the community relations team.  Off duty, Officer Sims served as an official for the Northern Kentucky Swim League and the Cincinnati Marlins Swim Team.  Additionally, he was an assistant soccer coach for the Saint Agnes School girls’ team and a Schutzenhund trainer.

Working off duty as a motorcycle escort officer, about 11:30 a.m. on August 5, 2011, Officer Sims was escorting a funeral procession to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Montgomery Road.  Having stopped traffic and allowed the funeral procession to proceed past him, Officer Sims sped up the right side of the procession to lead them into the cemetery.  The hearse suddenly turned right into the cemetery and Officer Sims and his motorcycle bounced off the hearse.  Officer Sims was thrown 27 feet and his head struck a curb.  He sustained significant head trauma.

An ambulance took Officer Sims to Bethesda North Hospital.  Air Care was called, but Officer Sims died before it arrived.

Officer Sims was survived by his wife of twelve years, Lori, and his children, Mathew E, Daniel E., Ryan W., Cory A., and Emily and four grandchildren.  He was also survived by his mother, Eula, and sisters, Donna and Susan.  His brother, Donald, died three months prior. Visitation for Officer Sims was held August 10 at the Allison and Rose Funeral Home on 5645 Taylor Mill Road. The funeral mass was held on August 11 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Church in Fort Wright and he was buried in Hichland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.