Former Upper Darby ‘Officer of the Year’ accused of stealing cash, drugs

Prosecutors in Delaware County say that a former cop betrayed the public’s trust.

Officer Brad Ross is accused of stealing and tampering with evidence in connection with an investigation started in February, according to 6ABC.

CBS Philly reported that Ross, 41 years old, “ended his 17 year law enforcement career in March, one month after investigators found problems in the police evidence room where he worked.” Those problemsinvolveditems from over 200 criminal cases.

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Authorities claimedRoss allegedly made off with over $14,000 in cash and at least 3,700 pills. Prosecutors alleged Ross needed tosupport a drug problem stemming from a 2012 accident.

Delaware CountyDistrict Attorney Jack Whelanexplainedthat Ross could have sought drug treatment back thenbutinstead “decided he was going to turn to criminal activity.”

In 2012, the local Rotary Club named Ross “Officer of the Year.”

At thattime, Upper Darby Police Chief Michael Chitwoodtold the Delaware County Times that Ross was “a valuable asset to the Upper Darby Police Department and an example for all law enforcement professionals.”