N. Kentucky University Officer Struck, Killed by Hearse In Ohio

A Northern Kentucky University Police officer was killed while escorting a funeral procession in Ohio, when he collided with a hearse.

Officer Roy Sims, 51, died from injuries he sustained in the crash in Montgomery, Ohio. Officer Sims was escorting a funeral procession to Gate of Heaven Cemetery when the herse struck the motorcycle he was riding around 11:39 a.m.

"The university community was shocked and saddened at the news of Officer Sims' accident today in Montgomery," said NKU President James Votruba in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time."

NKU Chief of Police Jason Willis said the tragic accident stunned his department. "This is a sad day for NKU," Chief Willis said. "Today we lost a good a man and an excellent police officer. NKU is very much a family, and we've lost one of our own."

Officer Sims was a retired Covington police officer who came to NKU in December 2009.