Roll of Honor
James K. "Polk" Phillips
Incident
Constable Polk Phillips was shot and killed from ambush in front of his home in Colmesneil, Texas.
A subject who had had an encountered with Constable Phillips several days prior had paid two men $25 to murder him. The man then supplied them with a shotgun and Winchester rifle.
The two men hid near the house and waited for him in ambush. As Constable Phillips and his son approached the gate the subject with the shotgun opened fire, killing the constable. The men fled but were apprehended and charged with murder.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A2D9031A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Phillips served with the Tyler County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Woodville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James K. "Polk" 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Tyler County Constable's Office - Precinct 2, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James K. "Polk" Phillips's cause is highlighted.
How James K. "Polk" Phillips Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James K. "Polk" Phillips is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James K. "Polk" Phillips was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tyler County Constable's Office - Precinct 2 are honored on badge.nw.
