Roll of Honor
William Henry Phillips
Incident
Investigator William Phillips was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a smuggling suspect at a home on the 4200 block of South Fourth Avenue in Tucson, Arizona, at approximately 6:00 am. Investigator Phillips was standing outside of the home as two other agents spoke to someone inside of the home. The other agents heard two shots and ran outside, finding Investigator Phillips suffering two gunshot wounds. He was transported to Pima County Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The suspect fled to Mexico following the murder and was arrested by Mexican authorities. He was tried and convicted in Mexico but later escaped from prison. He was shot and killed a short time later when he attempted to run a Mexican road block.
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BO-US-FED-F8097FFC- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Investigator Phillips gave the United States Department of Justice 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator William Henry 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Investigations, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Henry Phillips's cause is highlighted.
How William Henry Phillips Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Henry Phillips is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Henry Phillips was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Investigations are honored on badge.nw.
