Officer Tim Rudderow grew up locally and attended Spring-Ford High School. He had always been athletic, including taking up football when he was only seven years old. So it was no surprise when he won a three-sport varsity letter for football, wrestling, and track and field in high school. Little did he know then that all his training and athletic skills would become important assets for his future career.
When Officer Rudderow was only five years old, tragedy struck his family Officer Rudderow’s mom contracted a rare form of cancer that attacked her white blood cells. When it invaded her lungs, she experienced a health crisis. An ambulance was called and an Upper Providence policeman came to the house. At the time, Officer Rudderow was one scared kid, and did not understand what was happening. “The officer understood and offered me kindness and comfort, and calmed me down,” said Officer Rudderow. “I have never forgotten that. From that point on, I decided that I wanted to be a policeman. And I decided that if there was anything that I could ever do for people, and anyone that I could ever help, I would.”
Officer Rudderow attended the Delaware County Police Academy during the time of COVID. “It was a 10 ½ month program, but it took my class almost 12 months to finish because they had to keep cancelling classes to keep everyone safe.”
In August 2021, Officer Rudderow joined the Spring City Police. “I was in a part-time position, although I pretty much put in full-time hours,” he explains.
“In Spring City some of the residents were friendly toward officers, but others were not. Sometimes when you arrived for a police call, the residents would just scatter. But once you begin treating people with respect, over time their relationship toward you changes,” Officer Rudderow explains. While I was there, I tried to work with the residents to change that negative perception.”
“I always approach a situation with the intention of helping. if I can help someone start their car or intervene in a full-blown domestic dispute, I will always do what I can to help,” Officer Rudderow added.
Although Officer Rudderow felt he was making progress in Spring City, he needed a full-time job. So he applied to the Collegeville Police Department, was hired, and started in April, 2024.
What is the difference between policing in Spring City and Collegeville? “In Collegeville, people smile and wave to you. And they always say “thank you’ when you help them” says Officer Rudderow.
“Also, when I joined the Collegeville Police Force, I was welcomed instantly. Officer Sohl took me under his wing for two weeks and taught me what I needed to know. The police force here is like a small family. We all pull together and help each other. As an officer In Collegeville, I enjoy every day working here.”
In early June of this year when Officer Rudderow was out on routine patrol, TD Bank put out a call that a perpetrator was attempting to cash a fraudulent check for over $9,000. Only 30 minutes before, there had been a report of what turned out to be the same individual attempting to cash a fraudulent check in Lower Providence Township. Collegeville Officers Rudderow and Falnes responded, and the individual bolted. Both officers chased him, but then Officer Falnes hurt his hamstring. Officer Rudderow continued to chase him, and he first searched the trail area behind CVS. Officer Rudderow then spotted the man on the Chestnut Street Extension, heading down to Collegeville’s Creekside Park. Officer Rudderow sprinted, and then quickly caught and arrested the perpetrator by Keyser-Miller Ford.
Is there anything Officer Rudderow would like to say to the residents of Collegeville?
“Yes. First, all the Collegeville officers are here to help. If you are having a problem, but think maybe you shouldn’t bother the police, please call us! We would prefer to receive a call to help you now rather than after you have injured yourself or made a mistake in judgement.
“We have a lot of older people in Collegeville. If they need a hand, we are always happy to be there for them. We are also prepared to provide advice; we know what resources are available from the county and state.
“Second, if I am patrolling, and not on a call, I would love to stop and have conversations with residents. So please flag me down!”
