Dad Assaulted Officer Trying To Help During Son's Overdose: Cops

The father of an overdosing man assaulted a Lower Southampton officer who was there to facilitate medical assistance, authorities allege.

Joseph Simcox Sr., 56, has been charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident that happened Friday night. According to Lower Southampton Township Police, officers with that agency, as well as the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad and the Trevose Fire Department, were called to 1300 block of Loblolly Street in Feasterville around 9:30 p.m. for the report of a 24-year-old man overdosing on an unknown drug.

When officers arrived, the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad was tending to the patient, who was "highly combative" and required physical restraint to be medically assessed.

Lower Southampton officers assisted medical personnel with restraining the patient as he lay on the ground. While assisting EMS personnel, Simcox Sr., the father of the patient, approached the scene in a "loud and boisterous manner," according to police.

Police said they told Simcox "numerous times" to back away because he was interfering with medical treatment. "Simcox refused to follow police orders," information from police said.

As an officer was attempting to escort Simcox away, he assaulted him, according to authorities.

Simcox was processed and arraigned on July 21. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1.

Image via Lower Southampton Township PD