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Incident
Patrolman Earl Phillips was shot and killed after stopping a juvenile he observed speeding in a suspicious car on Landon Road north of Gulfport, Mississippi. At the time of the murder, the suspect was AWOL from the U.S. Army. He had returned to his home county and was staying with his parents. Prior to the murder, he had been told Deputy Phillips had been asking about a vehicle that matched the description of the one the suspect was driving. The suspect told several people if he came into contact with Deputy Phillips or any other officer, he would kill him. On the day of the murder, Deputy Phillips was on patrol and passed the suspect, who was driving the suspicious vehicle. Deputy Phillips turned around and began pursuit of the suspect, which ended when the suspect wrecked his vehicle. Deputy Phillips came upon the crash, exited his patrol car, and went to check on the suspect. The suspect exited the overturned vehicle and shot Deputy Phillips in the abdomen once with a shotgun loaded with #1 buckshot. Deputy Phillips, who was unarmed at the time of the incident, died at the scene. The suspect, 17, fled in the patrol car and made his way back to his parent's house. He was arrested there by officers a short time later and confessed to the murder after being encouraged to do so by his father. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on June 9, 1982. On June 29, 1986, he robbed a taxicab driver in Biloxi. In 1987 he was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 25 years. Deputy Phillips was a United States Army Reserve WWII and Korean War veteran and had served with the Harrison County Highway Patrol for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, grandson, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Earl is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Phillips gave the Harrison County Road Patrol 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Biloxi community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Earl Wesley Phillips Sr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Earl is the only officer of Harrison County Road Patrol remembered here.
Earl is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 3 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 56. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Earl had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Earl was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 9.1% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 12.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Harrison County Road Patrol. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Earl Wesley Phillips Sr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Earl Wesley Phillips Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Harrison County Road Patrol are honored on badge.nw.