After Nearly 40 Years Of Service, Norristown Officer To Retire

NORRISTOWN, PA — It was a different world when the Norristown police force was last without the services of Sgt. William Tims. It was 1985, the Iran-Contra fair had just begun, the Reagan administration was at its height, the Sixers resident MVP was Doctor J, and along the banks of the Schuylkill there was...less.

For the next 38 years, with a steadfastness that his peers called the definition of duty, loyalty, and service, Sgt. Tims helped to keep the citizens of Norristown safe. The police department honored Tims on Monday, noting that he was ending his long and distinguished career as an officer.

"Sgt. Tims demonstrated an unshakable commitment to the core principles of law enforcement, earning the admiration and respect of his colleagues and the community he has served," the department said in a statement. "Sgt. Tims has been a mentor, a leader, and a friend to many. As we bid farewell to Sgt. Tims, we are reminded of the countless lives he has touched and the many citizens whose safety he has ensured through his selfless service."

The department added that Tims left a "lasting legacy that will continue to inspire us all."

Amongst numerous awards and honors, Tims was recently commended, along with other officers, for "teamwork, bravery, and dedication to duty in excess of the norm" in the capture of an armed robber.