Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Phillips was shot and killed after arresting a man for possessing two pints of illegal liquor. When they arrived at the jail a scuffle ensued and the suspect produced a .38 caliber revolver. He fired twice, striking Chief Phillips once. The chief was taken a local hospital where he died the following evening. The suspect was hanged at Moundsville Penitentiary on July 22, 1921. Chief Phillips had served with the agency for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WV-1788223C- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Phillips gave the Grafton Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grafton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police J. E. B. Phillips is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. E. B. Phillips's cause is highlighted.
How J. E. B. Phillips Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed 1921
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. E. B. Phillips is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. E. B. Phillips was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.