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Incident
Town Marshal Lee Phillips was killed by a mob of men while trying to break up a group creating a drunken disturbance. Town Marshal Phillips responded to the Cozy Corner Cafe in response to a drunken, disorderly citizen. As Town Marshal Phillips sought to arrest the suspect, a group of the suspect's friends confronted Town Marshal Phillips. At that time, Town Marshal Phillips left the scene to request the assistance of the Itawamba County Sheriff. During his absence, the group left the cafe and went to the nearby stables. When Town Marshal Phillips and the Sheriff returned and found the group at the stables, they were attacked by the group of men. Town Marshal Phillips was fatally struck in the head with a board; the Sheriff was also struck several times with the same board and suffered various injuries to the shoulder and head. A bystander stepped in a wrestled the board away before the Sheriff could be further injured. The Sheriff managed to get the person that first assaulted him into custody and transported him to jail. The rest of the suspects fled the scene. Town Marshall Phillips was transported by ambulance to the Community Hospital in Tupelo, Mississippi where he was pronounced dead. After an exhaustive manhunt by 12 Mississippi Highway Patrol Officers, Policemen, and Deputy Sheriffs from two states, and Itawamba County residents, the main suspect was located, taken into custody and transported to the Tupelo Jail in Lee County, Mississippi, and later moved to an undisclosed location. The main suspect and an accomplice, ages 22 and 23, were charged with murder. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His accomplice's trial resulted in a mistrial. On January 15, 1960, Governor J. P. Coleman pardoned the one convicted of murder. In April of 1973, he and his brother shot and killed two men and a woman in Itawamba County. On March 8, 1974, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He applied for parole in 1982 and was released on an unk
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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22 years. You could have gone home.
Town Marshal Phillips gave the Fulton Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fulton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lee is the only officer of Fulton Police Department remembered here.
Lee is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Lee is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lee 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 1947, 4 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lee was 60. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Lee had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Lee was 60. 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. Lee had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 60. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.7% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 12.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fulton Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, 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 blunt object, in 0.8% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
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