VIRGINIA BEACH
It is perhaps the highest-risk position in an already dangerous profession. Undercover police officers step into unpredictable situations carrying their instinct, a quick wit and, occasionally, a gun.
No badge. No body armor.
At some point they most likely will be robbed, assaulted or, at the least, threatened. But rarely are they killed, which is why the Aug. 7 shooting death of a detective in Virginia Beach left undercover experts and investigators across the country stunned.
"There was no way you could stop that," Charlie Fuller, an undercover tactics trainer and retired special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said last week of the shooting that killed Detective Michael Smith Phillips.
Police say a man walked up to Phillips' pickup and abruptly opened fire, killing the detective as he tried to negotiate the sale of a half-pound of marijuana with a suspected dealer. He was the first undercover narcotics detective to be killed this year in the United States, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page Web site, which tracks law enforcement deaths.
Phillips wasn't wearing a bulletproof vest, but that's not uncommon for undercover detectives, particularly in hot weather, when one is harder to conceal.
Fuller, who was leading a training session in Seattle when he heard the news, immediately wondered how he could help other officers learn from the tragedy.
"I'm thinking, 'How can I stop it? What can I tell them so it doesn't happen again?' " he recalled in a phone interview.
His conclusion: "There's nothing I can tell them..."
"You can plan all you want, but if someone's going to assassinate you, there's not much you can do."
Phillips' death underscored the risk associated with undercover police work, a role described as both invaluable and dangerous. Undercover officers often must change their appearance, work late hours and deal with people they do n't know, usually alone and up to a football field's length from backup.
A successful operation, however, can lead to a "slam-dunk case," said Brian Sallee, a national trainer and undercover narcotics detective in Albuquerque, N.M.
"It's high-risk for little amounts of dope," he said, "but it's good results because you can make good, solid cases taking off the streets the people who are most destructive, most disruptive in your community."
In nearly 18 years investigating narcotics, Sallee said he has taken part in hundreds of undercover drug buys or sales. He arrested three generations of two different families during stings, and he loved the job so much that he retired from the force and came back four months later because he missed narcotics work.
He also has been robbed and shot at during undercover operations. Other detectives in his department, he said, have been knocked unconscious or robbed at gunpoint. Two of his colleagues barely escaped execution at the hands of three men they'd arranged to sell 80 pounds of marijuana.
"They had it set up to rip them off and just kill them both," he said.
All undercover operations carry risks, but it is the street-level deal, like the one Phillips was engaged in when he was shot, that is the most dangerous, experts said. Such dealers are more likely to be users themselves, and their backgrounds can be difficult to track.
Virginia Beach police haven't released details about how well Phillips knew Ted Vincent Carter or Marshall D. Moyd, the two men who were arrested and charged in his death.
Court records show Phillips and Moyd arranged the Aug. 7 deal by phone, with Moyd agreeing to sell a half-pound of marijuana to Phillips for $675. Backup officers were watching Moyd and Phillips negotiate inside a pickup truck when, police say, Carter suddenly stepped up and opened fire on Phillips, striking him three times in the torso.
Another court document says Carter later told an investigator "a voice" told him to shoot the detective. Police Chief Jake Jacocks has said department policies are being reviewed, but, he said, Phillips and other officers at the scene appeared to have followed proper procedure.
Undercover work can be the most rewarding job a police officer can perform, said Kenneth Stolle, a state senator and former Virginia Beach police narcotics detective.
Stolle said he was once held at gunpoint during an undercover cocaine buy at a city restaurant.
The dealers, he said, suspected him of being a police officer. Stolle denied it and tried to talk his way out. After a waitress vouched for him and insisted he wasn't an officer, the dealers relaxed, Stolle said.
"The one thing I do know," he added, "is that you're not going to be able to conduct investigations, not going to be able to identify the dealers, unless there's some cop in some city who's willing to risk his life to make the buys that typically start the investigations."
Staff writer Duane Bourne contributed to this report.
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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wHAT i THINK
"I think he might have an addictive personality, as he has had issues with alcohol as well."
I think your relative was the problem and not the substance. An addictive personality may latch on to shopping per my earlier example. Marijuana is not physically addictive and that is a fact. Does it not bother you that honest hard working people can be prosecuted for smoking a harmless plant to protect those who cannot take care of themself? Does it make sense that children no longer have their father and the marijuana is no harder to find? Think about that. W/ all of the effort, deaths, imprisonments, and billions of dollars spent, the drugs are easier than ever to find. So in the end, who is the bigger victim? Your relative that has personal issues or the kid who is sentenced to a few years in prison for some pot? Your relative or the dead cops?
Ira
I noticed it firsthand in a relative of ours, who got cozy with marijuana, then decided he had no reason to work and support his wife and kids (well, she worked--she had to!). Thankfully, he recovered. I think he might have an addictive personality, as he has had issues with alcohol as well. I understand about libertarians and personal choice, but when we legalize drugs, are we also prepared to utilize tough love with those who choose to drop out or who have a genetic predisposition to do so (however, we might express that)? And also, with their wives/husbands, who have chosen to marry someone with an addictive personality, eyes open or not? What about the kids who are born to the dropouts--isn't it immoral to let them starve to death? Just wondering what you think about all of that, as there are people who won't use because it is illegal, but will try it when it is available. Cheers, MGM
Standard misinformation
"won't have any greater impact than them living with their mother for the rest of their lives like they do. Start smoking when you're 10 or 12--you stay there emotionally and it shows. I've witnessed it personally."
Some of the most succesful people I have ever known smoke. Successful businessmen, doctors, parents, and prominent citizens. What do you do johnl? It is this type blanket statement that has been instilled by the goverment over the years to make you buy what they are selling. it's a lie. You cannot blame weed anymore than you can blame clothes when a young woman goes bankrupt overspending. It is a fact that illegal drug money is the largest contributor to supporting crime in this country. All of the efforts to stop it fail. it's a facade that some of you believe is effective. Your kids can get drugs today w/ no problem regardless of the enforcement.
Marijuana Deaths
In reference to donvabeach and the stats he provides. First of all the stats from CDC do not incooperate the deaths RELATED to marijuana use, such as vehicle accidents, robberies, homicides etc. They just relate to known deaths from marijuana as a cause. Also, the stats as you noticed were all prior to 2000, (at least 8 yrs. old)and some as old as 1988, 1992 etc. The year is missing from the marijuana death stat! CDC does not deal in contributing causes of death regarding drugs, only deaths directly attributed to the drugs, such as marijuana poisoning or an adverse reaction. A driver impaired by marijuana but dies in a vehicle crash, is listed as a vehicular death on the death certificate, albeit it may also list marjuana as a "Contributing" factor, not the real cause of death.
livfull4all
Officer Phillips was killed in a robbery attempt by hardened criminals. The Pilot keeps connecting this tragedy to the war on drugs.
Officer Phillips
I have read all the comments written and it disturbs me that there is an actual debate going on about the legalization of a drug that is obviously a problem, case in point Officer Phillps life is taken because of a drug that some feel needs to be legal so the killing will stop. WHAT are you thinking of? Did you miss the fact that due to this drug an Officer, Husband, Father, Son and Friend was killed. Do you believe by making something legal this will stop? Where is your Father, Son, or Family member fit into this picture? Think about it! And think about how these posts have forgotten a human life was taken by an individual who could care less about your cheep opinions and views. Officer Phillips was doing his job to protect you and your family from useless animals such as these two individuals. Who do you really want to stand up for? Remember you have friends and family as well. Officer Phillips friends a
Nothing is being slanted but the posts by some dopers...
...They think that just because they feel they're OK with growing and smoking some weed for personal use that it's the same for everybody else, and won't have any greater impact than them living with their mother for the rest of their lives like they do. Start smoking when you're 10 or 12--you stay there emotionally and it shows. I've witnessed it personally. MJ is far different from alcohol, and it's at least equally devastating to the habitual excess users.
RE:Then what's next for legalization?
The Pilot is slanting these articles to invite this debate hoping to inflame passions.
Danger, Condolences
Back when I worked undercover narcotics, there was no backup, period. Only a handful of narcotics officers were even aware of your existence. So, I am fully aware of the dangers inherent. My condolences to Det. Phillips family. If an undercover officer took stock of the potential dangers, he or she probably wouldn't do it. Again, my condolences.
Then what's next for legalization?
Cocaine? Heroin? Meth and meth labs for personal use? Oxycontin? Where does it stop? As far as the "body count" question--just look at all the MJ impaired highway, industrial and other accidental deaths that occur each year. There are tens of thousands of them.
People who vote for Obama don't care now?
AND they are all "pot heads"? Who knew? Sheesh...
People don't change......
So you really think if pot is legalized, these criminals are going to put down their guns and get a job at Wal-mart?
war on drugs
This country tried to keep alcohol banned and it did not work. Look at how many were kiled in that so called "war on alcohol". The same thing is happening with the war on drugs. Good Police Ofiecers are dieing, and for what? A pound of pot?
It needs to be legalized and the sooner the better, ...and "no" I have never used it and never will.
No right
No one has the right to judge unless you have been in their shoes, police and military both have a job to do, charged on them by the public. I have served in combat and as a police officer and I feel that we all forget who is the victim at times like this, let Mike Rest in Peace and his family be in peace. Anyone who is willing to lay their life down to protect their neighbors does not deserve this.
Funny
You can always tell who the pot heads are.. Like voting for Obama in a way, people don't care what the negative side is or how bad it for their health, they just like it. So in their defense you hear about how alcohol and cigarettes legal,Yes and they both do harm to the body. If a doctor smoke pot then he needs to find another profession. Right now we have two idiots in jail waiting for trial who had this already plan to find someone who want to buy large amount of pot and then rob and kill that person and that person just happen to be a officer, husband and father of two. For those who are silly enough to think that the government make pot legal and govern and tax it and America would be a safer place, go ahead and look into a mirrow and laugh at yourself. If we can't stop the illegal mexicans from coming over how do they plan to stop the pot from being brought over and sold on the black market. Guess what we still hav
real issue
How long are we going to ignore the real point of this sad story? Too many young black males are involved in these senseless killings. It just keeps happening every day in some communities like Newport News and Norfolk and yet it seems nobody cares. How many more young black males are going to be killed at the hands of other young black males before someone wakes up and takes a serious look at this issue. It is a sad fact that too often when something like a police officer being killed happened the suspect is a young black male. It is like a giant elephant in the room that everyone ignores because of some false concern of being politically correct. We have heard for days now that maybe the police should not go after drug dealers. The point is these idiots were not selling pot they were robbing someone. What "pot dealer" fires three rounds into a vehicle right next to their "friend"? Why not wait till afte
Have a little respect
I guess we are forgetting the real issue here...a father, son, and husband lost his life. I , for one, know that we need this type of enforcement in our community. Have you all read the things Det. Phillip's killer had in his home? Yes, it may have been marijuana that was "supposed" to be sold here, but most of these dealers out here are connected to far worse. If it wasnt pot, it would have been some other narcotic. Drug dealers and their activities WILL NOT be tolerated in our community. Det. Phillips knew what he was doing and he knew the risks. Instead of fighting over what is and isnt a drug, why dont you all have a little respect for an officer that gave his life to put this filth behind bars where they belong. God bless our police officers and what they do everyday.
And from the U.S.Center for Disease Control:
Estimated U.S. deaths in 2000 attributed to:
Tobacco (Average 1990 - 94): .......................... 430,700 (1)
Alcohol (1996): ....................................... 110,640 (2)
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs (1982 / 1998): ..32,000 (3)
Suicide (1998): ....................................... 30,575 (4)
Homicide (1998): ..................................... 18,272 (5)
All licit and illicit drug-induced deaths (1998): .... 16,926 (6)
Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (1992):............ 7,600 (7)
Marijuana: ........................................... 0 (8)
Marijuana's production and use should be legalized. Let the LEO's go after the real lawbreakers in society. BTW, I don't use it, and wouldn't use it, if it were legal. But, what's right is right.
No, patti99. "IT" did'nt
No, patti99. "IT" did'nt ruin your 27 year relationship, YOU did. How dare you take the easy way out and blame your woes on the weed. Hey girl, it's called ACCOUNTABILITY! Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Gimme a break
Did criminals stop killing cops when prohibition was lifted? It's about the quick buck, and if pot is legalized, the quick buck will become something else. Criminals aren't criminals because pot is illegal, they're criminals because they want a quick illegal fix. If pot is legalized, then undercover cops will get shot in the line of duty busting bad guys for something else. A criminal is a criminal and legalizing pot won't make homicidal criminals go away.
Lets move on
Yes, it is terrible that this detective was killed in the line of duty, I am not disputing that in the least, BUT there have been soldiers killed in the line of duty for years now and not ONE of them gets a weeks worth of coverage in this newspaper. They (the city) does not shut down a MAJOR road (Kempsville Rd) for their funeral. Their funerals are not televised live on the local stations. Are we saying that both of these lives are not equal? Both groups of individuals (Police Officers, Soldiers) know that they are putting their lives at risk everday. Its part of their job. Like I said, yes its terrible, but lets put it behind us and move on. Let this man rest in peace, and remember, he is not the only person dying in this city.
Please
Please, not another drug laws Internet argument. If that's what you want to see, just google for it and read one of the million identical ones.
Harm reduction kills?
"Alcohol kills people, cigerette kills people I guess the pot heads want their chance."
Consuming over $100 billion annually, Americans have had ample opportunity to kill themselves under the current legal status of cannabis. Where are the bodies?
Anti-Drugs,Anti-Prohibition
This really shouldn't be about a pot-is-good, pot-is-bad debate. Its bad.
Personally, I have never used an illegal drug, I have never been drunk, I have never smoked a tobacco cigarette. I believe surrendering the clarity of one's mind to a drug is to reject our greatest gift. But that doesn't mean I support drug prohibition.
All wars have a cost in lives, treasure and the very soul of a society, and our 'War on Drugs' is no exception. The costs have been horrendous. Before a country gos to war, it should first have some idea of these costs and have at least some prospects of winning, so those costs will not be in vain. We have fought this war for a lifetime, and we are no closer to winning than the day we started. Drug use rises and falls in cycles, based on social changes that have nothing to do with enforcement. If I could eliminate all drug use tomorrow, I would, but this war isn't working and the costs
NARCOTICS
Yes, the root word for narcotic is obviously 'narco' and hopefully wa all understand what that means. By definition, narcotics are drugs that induce narcosis such as the opiates you mentioned.
But remember we are dealing with law enforcement types and the editors of this newspaper, neither of whom are noted for their knowledge of English.
it doesnt matter
its still ILLEGAL!!!
Maaaaan
How big is your brain, dude? I bet you have a gigantic domepiece. LOL.
Alfred wasn't saying marijuana is a narcotic, uh...other guy..I forgot your name, he was merely referring to the fact that sometimes it is misconstrued as such.
Let it go, it won't be legalize in your life time
You can still be arrested for it illegal, it can cause health issues like in tobacco products and could make you have a craving for pizza, donuts and spam. Alcohol kills people, cigerette kills people I guess the pot heads want their chance.
Right-e-o
In U.S. legal context, narcotic refers to opium, opium derivatives, and their semi-synthetic or fully synthetic substitutes "as well as cocaine and coca leaves," which although classified as "narcotics" in the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA), are chemically not narcotics. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not a narcotic, nor are LSD and other psychedelic drugs. Specifically, steroids are not narcotics.[4]
Many law enforcement officials in the United States inaccurately use the word "narcotic" to refer to any illegal drug or any unlawfully possessed drug. An example is referring to cannabis as a narcotic. Because the term is often used broadly, inaccurately or pejoratively outside medical contexts, most medical professionals prefer the more precise term opioid, which refers to natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic substances that behave pharmacological
even worse
Alcohol is even a worse evil than pot for those that can't maintain.