Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Frank Phillips was shot and killed while questioning two brothers who were drunk and causing a disturbance in front of a local business.
When he asked the two what they were doing they became belligerent. A struggle ensued in which the two brothers drew weapons and shot Deputy Phillips. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and seriously wounded one of the suspects. The other brother was taken into custody.
There were hard feelings between the three caused by the "Hatfield and McCoy Feud" that had been going on since 1878. Both brothers were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On July 2, 1930, a fire destroyed the chair factory within the state penitentiary complex. Several inmates helped fight the fire which kept it from spreading to other buildings. All who helped including one of the brothers had their sentences reduced. His sentence was commuted to 21 years. In 1931 the other brother's sentence was commuted to 21 years.
Deputy Phillips was survived by his wife, child, mother, two brothers, and four half-sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Phillips was survived by his wife, child, mother, two brothers, and four half-sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-8AEF87EA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Phillips served with the Pike County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Frank Phillips is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pike County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Phillips's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Phillips Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Phillips is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Phillips was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Pike County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
