Watch CBS News

Police Officer Accused Of Gunning Down His Wife In Asbury Park Pleads Not Guilty

ASBURY PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey police sergeant appeared in court Wednesday, a day after he allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife in front of one of their nine kids.

Neptune Sgt. Phillip Seidle is accused of running his ex-wife Tammy off the road Tuesday and then shooting her at point blank range with his service revolver in Asbury Park.

He was arrested after an intense standoff with police in front of the couple's 7-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors say he fired the shots as their 7-year-old daughter sat in his car, CBS2's Christine Sloan reported.

"Go over to her driver's side of the window and fire inside that car not once, not twice  but multiple, multiple times," Assistant Prosecutor Marc LeMieux said during Seidle's arraignment.

Police responding to the scene were able to pull the child out after the next series of shots were fired, Sloan reported.

Witnesses captured the tragedy on video that CBS2 chose not to air.

Neptune, NJ Cop Charged In Murder Of Ex-Wife Due In Court

"There was a lot of yelling between him and the police," one witness said. "He was saying he was tired of going to court for child support. After that, he shot the lady through the car three times."

Neptune, NJ Cop Charged In Murder Of Ex-Wife Due In Court

After the shooting, prosecutors said Phil Seidle pointed the gun at his head and held police at bay for about 30 minutes until they were able to persuade him to surrender. He was then taken into custody.

Tamara Seidle, 51, was taken to a hospital, where she died a short time later.

The couple divorced last month and have nine children together between the ages of 7 and 24.

Prosecutors are looking into whether a recently divorced off-duty police officer who authorities said chased down and fatally shot his ex-wife may have done so over a bitter custody battle, CBS2's Jannelle Burrell reported.

Philip Seidle court
Philip Seidle court (CBS2)

Friends say Seidle had a history of domestic violence against his wife but the court wouldn't give her a final restraining order because of his position as a cop, Sloan reported.

"He had a temper but I wouldn't say to the extreme, but he had a temper. I've seen it before," said Tamara Seidle's Godson Jameen Murphy.

"She had told me her ex kicked her while pregnant. That he had pointed a loaded gun at her head when she was pregnant," said Tammy's friend Rachel Alintoff.

Seidle has served on the force for 22 years.  Officials would not comment on the restraining order or why cops on the scene didn't shoot Seidle as he fired his weapon leading to an hour standoff, Sloan reported.

"In part, we were able to have him surrender because a cell phone that contained photographs of his children was passed to him," Said Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

"He had a temper but I wouldn't say to the extreme, but he had a temper. I've seen it before," said Tamara Seidle's Godson Jameen Murphy.

Friends and family of the former couple came to the courthouse Wednesday.

"We are doing fine we are supporting our nephew," said Seidle's aunt.

"You can just imagine if they were your children you'd feel the same way," said Jessica.

He is being held on $2 million bail that his attorney said he will fight.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.