Father of murdered 13-year-old vows for change

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The family of 13-year-old boy gunned down November 15 is vowing to turn the tragedy into help for other children in similar situations.

Tucker Wimpee's father, Phillip Wimpee, a Meade County Sheriff's deputy, said he tried to prevent this tragedy long ago.

Phillip Wimpee said Tucker was a good boy who wanted to be a man who protected his mother and he says he did until the bitter end.

[PREVIOUS STORY: Three people including teen found dead inside Meade Co home]

Phillip Wimpee said he fought for five years to have Tucker and his sister removed from Warren Earl Tripp's home.

"Now we all know the truth," he said. "Tucker has paid the ultimate price."

[PREVIOUS STORY: Archery team raises money to cover boy's funeral killed in double-murder suicide]

Phillip Wimpee said Tucker was trying to protect his mother, Ellen Cain, 43, Tripp's live-in girlfriend. He said Cain had left Tripp but moved back home. Phillip Wimpee tried to convince Tucker to stay with his family while the domestic turmoil played out, but Tucker wanted to make sure his mother was ok.

Phillip Wimpee said the court system did not do the same thing for Tucker.

"Now people say I never thought this would happen," he said. "I never thought it would come to this. Our response is we told you. We shouted it from the rooftops. We asked for help and we didn't get it."

Phillip Wimpee and his family said they plan on starting a foundation called One Tucker at a Time to help other children in abusive situations and their parents fight through the system.

He said they will hold events to raise money, but people who want to donate can send checks to the Matley Law Office in Brandenburg.