Played by Eric Winter, Tim Bradford is a fan-favorite television character on the ABC show The Rookie. Officer Bradford has been a main character on the show since 2018 with notable changes in his career and personal life. As a training officer assigned to the Mid-Wilshire Division, Bradford commands respect among his fellow officers, including his superiors. His remarkable resume and absolute dedication to his duties endear him to audiences.
However, life has not been a smooth ride for the 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) tall officer with a history of tumultuous childhood and love life. His background story arguably influences his personality but he remains a fair cop who takes his job seriously. Aside from Bradford, Winter has played numerous television roles such as Rex Brady on Days of Our Lives, FBI Special Agent Craig O’Laughlin on The Mentalist (2010–2012), and Dash Gardiner on Witches of East End (2013–2014). Explore more fascinating facts about the character below.
1. Tim Bradford Was Born To An Abusive Father
Born in 1980, Tim Bradford was in his late 30s when the show began. A brief walk down memory lane reveals that he grew up in a broken home with an abusive father. His dad, Tom Bradford, was an alcoholic, a condition that made him verbally and physically abusive. In a flashback scene on The Rookie season 4 episode 8 “Hit and Run”, Tom smashed 7-year-old Bradford’s head into a wall. He also left young Bradford at a park to find his way home using only a compass.
Officer Bradford’s childhood experiences traumatized and toughened him up – part of the reason he avoids personal conversations. He has also vowed to be different from his dad in every aspect of his life. As such, he was upset when the training tests he gave Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) were attributed to the ones his father gave him as a kid.
2. He Played Football In High School To Get Away From Home
Growing up in a broken home made Bradford dream a lot about leaving and football was his best shot at some point. He joined the football team in high school and was very good at it. As a quarterback, Bradford led his team to victory in the Mt. Baldy League Championship. However, he chose to pursue a career in law enforcement instead of going pro. He once joked about a war front being safer than the NFL.
3. Tim Bradford Is a Crossover Character On The Rookie Feds
The Rookie Feds is a spin-off of The Rookie which aired from September 27, 2022, to May 2, 2023. The show only got one season before it was cancelled with Tim Bradford appearing as a crossover character from The Rookie. Also played by Winter in a special guest star appearance, Bradford joined the cast of The Rookie Feds in episode 4 “To Die For” as LAPD liaison sergeant between the elite Metro Division and his original Mid-Wilshire Division.
4. He Was In The United States Army
Instead of pursuing a professional football career, Bradford chose to serve in the United States Army. Bradford rose to the rank of a Sergeant in his military career. He was also a Squad Leader with ten soldiers under his command and served at least two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before completing his service. Also, there are references to him fighting in either the first or the second battle of Fallujah in 2004.
5. His Ex-wife, Isabel Was Fired For Drug Addiction
Bradford was married to Isabel Bradford (Mircea Monroe), a former Gangs & Narcotics detective who was serving at another precinct when they met and fell in love. Unfortunately, Isabel’s exploits as an undercover officer in the volatile world of narcotics turned her into a drug addict. When all efforts to turn her life around failed, she was fired from the LAPD. Notwithstanding, Tim stayed with her until her addiction took a toll on their marriage.
6. Tim Bradford is the Strictest of the Training Officers
Considered the strictest of the training officers in his precinct, Tim Bradford was very tough on Chen. As her training officer, Bradford gave Chen a hard time, often coming up with random tests to teach her the harsh realities of the job. Serving as a Sergeant in the United States Army may have influenced his style of training but Bradford’s childhood experiences also played a part. Here’s all you need to know about The Rookie season 7.
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