VIRGINIA BEACH
They came from across the state and along the Eastern Seaboard, each with black bands across their badges, to remember a fallen colleague hailed Tuesday as a hero and devoted family man.
More than 1,000 uniformed police officers stood outside the entrance to the sprawling Rock Church, where they saluted the family of Virginia Beach police Detective Michael Smith Phillips, who was killed late Thursday night during an undercover drug operation.
Bagpipers played and flags waved gently as Phillips' wife, Terri, and young sons, Bailey and Bristol, were escorted from a limousine into the church. Inside, an American flag draped the detective's casket.
During the service, the Rev. James Ullian eulogized Phillips as a man eager to help a friend - but only after he'd made sure his family was taken care of first.
Phillips had always wanted a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, despite his wife's objections. Eventually, she "caved," Ullian said.
Phillips went to a dealership and sat on the bike he wanted. Then he slid off.
"He didn't buy it," Ullian said. "He said it would be selfish, because it wasn't something his family could enjoy with him."
Police Chief Jake Jacocks told mourners that Phillips "was, without question, a hero."
"Mike loved his job," the chief said. "He knew the dangers, and he knew what he was doing was important."
He praised Phillips' dedication to his job removing drugs from the community. Phillips was undercover late Thursday trying to buy a half-pound of marijuana when a man walked up to his pickup and shot him three times.
Two suspects, Ted Vincent Carter, 23, and Marshall Demetrius Moyd, 26, both of Virginia Beach, are charged in his death.
Jacocks said the days since Phillips' death had felt like months, and that many officers had struggled with anger, depression and "misguided attempts of self-blame."
Phillips, he said, would be disappointed if those feelings overwhelmed those he left behind.
Along the three-mile route between Rock Church and Rosewood Memorial Park, dozens of people stood along the curbs of Kempsville and Witchduck roads as the procession passed. Some waved American flags. Others stood solemnly or saluted.
As vehicles pulled into the cemetery, others were still leaving the church.
In the cemetery's Garden of Valor, members of the Virginia Beach Police Department's Honor Guard fired a three-shot volley.
Afterward, a bugler played taps, then an officer led a riderless black horse, with boots facing backward in the stirrups, past Phillips' casket.
At the end of the service, a dispatcher crackled over police radios: "Dispatcher to Officer Code 2079."
A few seconds later, she repeated her call, paused, and said it a third time.
"Officer Code 2079," she said again, adding, "off-duty."
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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Wanna Be Medic
Breal, you are right, the DR must have received his degree from "ER".
"DR", I would suggest a ride-a-long with the VBFD and the various EMS units so you will may gain better insight into our profession. Being a paramedic (18 years), including critical care training, I have no doubt that if anything could have been done, it would have been done. Also, as a retired Captain from VBFD, I know they bust their rear everyday to serve the citizens.
Regarding the comment on the "flax jacket", due to undercover opearations, the bullet resistant vest are not always worn. They are bulky and would be sure sign he was a police officer. I do wish he had his on. I fuss at my friend when I see him without his on.
Detective Philipps
Out of respect for the Detective and his family, as a citizen of Virginia Beach where this man served, I attended his wake and funeral and was overcome with emotion at the terrible waste of life. I do not mean to second guess the Police Chief or the fine men and women who serve us, but why wasn't this man wearing a flak jacket? And what exactly did the Chief mean when he said, "this was totally unexpected"? Aren't these sort of violent, senseless, murders exactly what "is" expected in situations such as these?
My heart goes out to the family of Detective Philipps but more importantly to the man himself who has been robbed of the enjoyment of watching his sons come of age.
dr...
Ha...You DO watch ER!! Wasn't that where you got the first line of your last comment. I don't know what kind of or where you got this training you claim...but you are obviously full of it. I could tear your beliefs about EMS apart...but don't have the space...nor the time. Not to mention, you probably just wouldn't comprehend. How do you know that a doctor wasn't contacted prior to pronouncing and gave orders to do so? Do you know that police now have the authority to pronounce death as well? You are so quick to blame the "rescue squads" when in fact you have no clue as to how things went down. I know for a fact that no EMS/FD/PD personnel wants to see or leave their dead colleague on the ground. But orders are orders and procedures are procedures. If there was even the slightest possible chance this officer could have been saved, trust me, they would have tried. You said "rumors abound in these type of s
Hmmmm
This is very sad, and there's lots of mixed emotions by everyone. Was enough done to try and save this man? Was it worth it to try a sting operation for 2 small baggies of pot... it wasn't crack, cocaine, or heroin... it was a wild weed. No officers death is meaningless, and I commend him for his service. Let'STOP losing officers to Marijuana... legalize it, and get on with the more important things to do!
Video
Thank you for the very touching video.
Rest in peace, Detective Phillips.
At the very least, with
At the very least, with penetrating trauma, he should have been intubated, had lines placed, and had his chest cracked, vessels cross clamped, and see what the damage is. Maybe then he should have been pronounced, not by a wanna be medic but by an MD. Then, his wife would have a body to touch, not an embalmed 'thing' in a casket. Instead, some whackaloon pronounces him, and his body lies in a parking lot for six hours.
You never leave a cop, fireman, emt, whatever, behind. Someone screwed up royal down there, and judging from the remarks I have read about the rescue squads, a large mistake was made.
Oh yea, breal, I have had a little training, enough to know you never leave a cop behind.
Thanks!
Thanks to the Va Pilot/Pilotonline for the great video and story! Thanks to Det. Phillips and others for doing their job!
Dr87448
Not much you can do for a trauma code. Stop watching ER and take an EMT class to learn why before you question the actions of the professionals.
Condolences....
A question that has come up. Why was Det. Phillips not transported to the hospital? Where was EMS? Rumors abound in these situations, and they say EMS just pronounced him, no attempt to work on him.
I think this needs to be addressed........
Seriously voiceofreason?
Why would you pick this forum and this time to make those comments? Whether or not you believe in his particular assignment, or even the role of undercover narcotics investigations as a whole, the fact remains that this is a sad, sad time for his family and fellow law enforcement officers. He was trying to do his part to get drugs and dealers off the street. Sure, it was a little part, and maybe it wouldn't have made much of a difference in the long run, but at least it was something. What have YOU done lately?
Video Response
"Officer 2079 - Off Duty -" is probably the saddest and yet most profound statment in a officers funeral.. Thank you VP for putting together a short worth watching.
Thanks
To Mrs. Phillips and sons...thank you for sharing your husband and father. I didn't know him but from the things I have been reading he was a good husband, father, friend, and policeman. I will keep you all in my prayers and hope that one day in the near future you can think about your loved one and smile. Until that day...stay strong and keep your heads up.
Donations
According to FM99, donations for the family are being accepted today at Pembroke Mall.
With Respect
My condolences to this Hero's family and my thanks to the Thin Blue Line that tries to keep us safe.
Sorrow and respect
My deep sorrow goes to the family. My utmost respect goes to this officer and his fellow officers.
Now, speaking of respect....could The Virginian Pilot please eliminate those crass commercials before viewers watch the video of this officer's funeral service on your website? Tell your commercial sponsors and your editors that this is not the venue in which you need to pay your bills.
God Bless Detective Smith
I was at this fine man's service today as I have been at several past shipmates services as well.
I pray you are resting in peace, in God's comfort and that your family is well supported by those whom you served with. Your family can always call on me for help when they need it. I promise I will do what I can for them, just as I do what I can for the families of my fallen shipmates who also have given the ultimate sacrifice.
No words can reflect my gratitude to you and your brothers and sisters in law enforcement for performing of their duties.
I will purchase a new flag tomorrow, Wednesday, and fly her at half staff from my home in the 4th precinct for the next 3 weeks in honor of your memory any sacrifice.
From tear filled eyes, thank you.