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Ronald Roland Phillips Jr.
Incident
Officer Ronald Phillips died after contracting COVID-19 while fingerprinting a detainee who was COVID-positive in Phoenix, Arizona.
Officer Phillips had served with the United States Department of Homeland Security for nine years and had 13 years of law enforcement experience. Prior to serving with Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, he had served with the United States Border Patrol and the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office, Pennsylvania.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Officer Ronald Roland Phillips Jr. died on July 26, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 49.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 13 at United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, parents, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Officer Phillips gave the United States Department of Homeland Security 13 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations has lost 15 officers; 13 of them lost to illness.
Ronald is one of 137 officers lost to illness in DC, 9.7% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 3 officers at United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 7.
In 2020, 33 officers in DC were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 25 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 45.
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Ronald was 49. Of the 13 lost to illness at United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations whose age is recorded, half were between 49 and 51; the middle age was 50. Ronald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ronald was 49. Of the 136 lost to illness in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 56.3; the middle age was 51. Ronald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Ronald was 49. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Ronald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Ronald was 49. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Ronald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
July holds 15.4% of these deaths at United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations; August holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 23.1%.
July holds 9.5% of these deaths in DC; October holds the most, 13.9%. Sundays: 12.4%.
July holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
July holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 9.7% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations has 15 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
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Lorenzo Roberto Gomez
Nov 8, 2003
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Brian Pecson Beliso
Jun 8, 2016
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Ronald Roland Phillips, Jr.
Jul 26, 2020
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Juan Rojas
Aug 7, 2020
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Danny Keith Laughner, Jr.
Oct 1, 2020
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Ronald Mason Hunter, Jr.
Aug 9, 2021
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Miguel Angel Ortiz
Aug 30, 2021
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Roberto Carlos Cantu
Sep 13, 2021
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Olynthia Jermaine Turner
Sep 18, 2021
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Bradley K. Kam
Oct 12, 2021
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Rosa Elisa Vasquez
Nov 5, 2021
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David Eric Mize
Dec 19, 2021
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William Hayes
Jan 3, 2022
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Brian Wayne Turner
May 29, 2022
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Rachel Elizabeth Vielmas
Jul 23, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations are honored on badge.nw.
