Matthew Hinkel is a cop in the tiny town of Coopersburg in East Central Pennsylvania not far from Allentown. Well, really, he was a cop. Now he's a jailbird. While speeding in his police cruiser at 40 miles an hour over the speed limit, Cop Hinkel smashed into a car carrying 70 year-old Shirley Tuomela and her 49 year-old son, Darrell Tuomela. Hinkel killed the elderly woman. He also seriously injured her son. In addition, Hinkel very seriously injured Jeffrey Kipp, a second cop riding in Hinkel's cruiser. Kipp had to undergo several surgeries. For the killing and all the injuries, pain and suffering, cop Hinkel was sentenced to a pat on the wrist, a mere 3 to 23 months in jail. He wasn't even sent to state prison. All he was charged with was involuntary manslaughter. Had it been you or me, we'd be doing 10 years on felony charges in state prison. In Pennsylvania, it's usual for cops to receive very special and lenient treatment even where they kill people. That's Pennsylvania "just-us." Rebecca's Bargain Antiques Collectible Vintage Photos Fine Prints - Old Maps Sheet Music - Old Books Elegant Antiques and Collectibles "A criminal lawyer like a trapeze performer, is seldom more than one slip from an awful fall," Paul O'Neal, 1959 You are welcome to use or re-publish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the Public Enemies Menu. Return to the Main Menu. Go to our site Search Feature. Send us Your Comments, Questions or Input.