Tulsa Detectives Praise Cop Who Spotted Suspects In Truck Driver's Murder

When homicide detectives developed a suspect vehicle in the killing of a Papa John's truck driver, they asked all the officers on patrol to be on the look out for it. An officer with only two years on the force spotted it Monday.

Detectives are bragging on the young patrol officer, who not only paid attention to the information they put out about the vehicle, but recognized it when he saw it.

Officer Jim Brill said he has wanted to be a police officer for as long as he can remember, and like so many others, it started with a desire to help people.

He joined the Sapulpa Police Department at age 22, right out of college, then came to Tulsa two years ago.

When homicide detectives sent out tip sheets with pictures of a possible suspect vehicle and a tag number over the weekend, Officer Brill said kept it in the back of his mind while he was on patrol. Then, Monday at 1:30 a.m., he spotted it.

3/25/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Police Arrest 3 Teens For Murder Of Papa John's Driver

"That car happened to be next to me at the traffic light," Brill said. "I looked over and I looked over again. In the back of my head I was like, 'Is this the car?'"

He followed it from a distance until other officers arrived who pulled it over and took the occupants into custody.

Two of the teens in the car were later arrested for the murder of Robert Horton, a man who was shot and killed Saturday morning while unloading supplies for a Papa John's on 11th Street.

Brill said he found it easier to make the arrest than to talk about it.

"I'm more nervous about doing this than I am about stopping a murder car, for some reason," Brill said.

Later, as homicide detectives were interviewing the suspects, a major and the police chief congratulated Brill and even called him a hero.

He said he was just in the right place at the right time, and gives the credit to the homicide detectives who figured out which car was involved.

"I don't think I'm some kind of superstar, but just doing my job. But I think the homicide guys really hit a home run on it," Brill said.

When Brill saw a news article out of Dallas in which Robert Horton's daughter expressed great appreciation for the arrest, only then did he let himself enjoy the moment and feel pride that he truly did make a difference and help someone, just as he always hoped he would.

Brill said he has been a little overwhelmed by all the emails and congratulations from officers all through the department, some he's never even met. One told him it was destiny that he was in that place at that time and he said he likes the sound of that, but is mostly pleased for the victim's family that the suspects are now behind bars.