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Incident
Sergeant James Phillips succumbed to stab wounds he received while attempting to arrest a man for violating local rules on July 7, 1864.
When Sergeant Phillips approached the subject on St. Francis Street near Royal Street in Mobile, the man drew a knife and stabbed Sergeant Phillips in the side before fleeing. Confederate soldiers in the area apprehended the subject.
Sergeant Phillips passed away from his wounds four days later on July 12, 1864.
The suspect was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to five years.
Sergeant Phillips had served with the Mobile Police Department for four years.
He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama, in an unmarked grave.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sergeant Phillips gave the Mobile Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mobile Police Department has lost 23 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 1864, 1 officer at Mobile Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1864, 1 officer in AL was killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1864, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1864, 21 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 162nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 50. Of the 17 killed feloniously at Mobile Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 50; the middle age was 36. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 50. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 50. 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. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 5.6% of these deaths at Mobile Police Department; June holds the most, 22.2%. Tuesdays: 27.8%.
July holds 7.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 15.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.3% of all 23 deaths at Mobile Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 1% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Mobile Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, James among them.
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James Phillips Jul 12, 1864
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Jeremiah Lynch Jun 3, 1872
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Edward McGrath Morris
Apr 1, 1901
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Charles Haggerty
Dec 30, 1903
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James J. Shaw
Dec 21, 1924
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Christopher M. Dean
Jan 22, 1926
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William Murphy
Oct 18, 1929
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Edward DeFord
Oct 31, 1935
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Cody Bettis
Aug 3, 1938
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Ollie Mason
Jun 15, 1943
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Pierce Lee Reeves
Sep 24, 1944
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Earl Royce Williams
Jun 24, 1968
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Joseph Pickens Brunson, Jr.
May 15, 1975
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Henry Johnny Booth
Aug 14, 1979
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Julius Norman Schulte
Apr 24, 1985
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Douglas Emil Kountz, Jr.
May 2, 1992
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Owen Patrick McClinton
Dec 13, 1996
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Rufus Earle Brown
Mar 23, 1997
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Matthew Alan Thompson
Feb 12, 2004
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Brandon Nykori Sigler
Jun 2, 2009
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Steven Caserlos Dion Green, Sr.
Feb 3, 2012
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Justin Taylor Billa
Feb 20, 2018
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Sean Paul Tuder
Jan 20, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
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