Family of Springfield man shot by deputy doesn't want 'Live PD' to air his death

The daughter of a Springfield man killed in a deputy-involved shooting Wednesday says a TV show filmed her father's death — and the show might air it.

William Simcoe Jr. was killed after he led deputies on a car chase, then fled on foot and brandished a gun, the Greene County Sheriff's Office said.

His daughter, April Simcoe, said she does not want "Live PD" to air that footage.

"It was for sure filmed by 'Live PD,'" April Simcoe said. "The detective handling the case called to let me know that it was."

Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott did not respond to multiple requests for comment Friday. Attempts to gain comment from the show's production company were also unsuccessful.

Arnott said Wednesday that William Simcoe Jr., 45, had told deputies he had a "full clip" and raised a handgun at them when deputies fired.

More: Man shot and killed by deputies after raising handgun identified

April Simcoe said her family has been through a lot this week, and she hopes the "Live PD" footage will not be broadcast.

"Honestly I feel like it's a huge violation of privacy to have it nationally aired. I can understand them showing traffic stops and chases," April Simcoe said. "If they were to show the whole thing on national television, it would be extremely insensitive to exploit someone's family just to gain ratings."

The A&E show follows officers from several law enforcement departments on Friday and Saturday nights, showing the action in close-to-real time. "Live PD" also shows some segments that were recorded much earlier.

The News-Leader has obtained the contract that Arnott signed with Big Fish Entertainment, the company that produces "Live PD."

According to the contract, the sheriff's office has 48 hours to "review and comment on any pre-recorded segments" of the show.

The sheriff's office can comment on possible safety or security risks, like identifying confidential informants or undercover officers, the contract said.

However, it appears from the contract that the producers of "Live PD" have wide discretion on what makes it into the show.

The contract says the producer of "Live PD" is the sole owner of any footage and can use it an "unlimited number of times."

If "Live PD" shows footage of William Simcoe Jr.'s death, it would not be the first time the show has shown a death on national TV.

A woman told NBC News last year she was upset to learn about her 37-year-old son's death when his body was shown on "Live PD."

According to April Simcoe, the detective said the Greene County Sheriff's Office is doing everything it can to prevent the footage of her father's death from airing on TV.

April Simcoe said she appreciates that effort, but the detective told her the sheriff's office likely can't stop footage of her father's death from airing.

The detective said she's not certain when the shooting might air on "Live PD," April Simcoe said, but she expected it would be sometime next week.

April Simcoe said she also wants the community to know that despite the fatal shooting, her family supports law enforcement.

"We understand that (William Simcoe) probably put himself in the situation for it to happen, and we fully support our police officers and sheriffs," she said.

William Simcoe Jr. was wanted for burglary and was a parole absconder at the time of his death, which took place in the 9400 block of East State Highway YY, according to the sheriff's department.

It's unclear how many deputies were involved in the shooting.

April Simcoe said that she doesn't want her father remembered as a criminal. He was more than that to her family.

"I want people to know that even though he wasn't the best at expressing his feelings that there were a lot of people that he loved and would do anything for," April Simcoe said. "That he was more than just a criminal you see on television. He was a grandfather. A father. A friend."