Man sentenced to prison for ‘assaulting fire police lieutenant with tractor trailer’

A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to prison for nearly running over a law enforcement officer with a tractor trailer last year.

On November 20, 2024, Craig Robert Godfrey, 65, was sentenced to 33 to 66 months in state prison, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.

Godfrey was convicted on charges of felony aggravated assault by physical menace and misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person following a two day jury trial in September 2024.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 3, 2023, in Caernarvon Township, Pennsylvania.

Officials say that Godfrey was operating a semi truck when he encountered fire police Lt. Timothy Cunningham at the intersection of Conestoga Creek and South Red School roads.

Cunningham was attempting to direct traffic around a large barn fire, but Godfrey “insisted” on trying to drive through the closed roadway, according to the district attorney’s office.

“Godfrey repeatedly lurched his truck toward Cunningham, who had to repeatedly back away from the truck’s advance. Godfrey ultimately drove at Cunningham, requiring the lieutenant to physically push himself away from the truck to avoid being run over,” officials said.

The incident was partially captured by Godfrey’s dash cam.

First Assistant District Attorney Travis Anderson said that Godfrey “‘prioritized convenience’ over the safety of others and used his truck as a weapon against a fire police lieutenant who was working to protect both firefighters and property.”