Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Phillips was shot and killed at a home ten miles north of Huntsville when he attempted to arrest an 84-year-old man for shooting at another man. As Sheriff Phillips' deputy read the warrant the subject grabbed a shotgun from under some clothes on his bed and shot Sheriff Phillips, killing him instantly. The subject was apprehended near Huntsville several hours later.
The suspect was convicted of Sheriff Phillips' murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on June 17th, 1931.
At the time of his death, Sheriff Phillips had only nine days left to serve in office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-614EE5F8- 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.
Sheriff Phillips served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John A. Phillips is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Madison County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John A. Phillips's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Phillips Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Phillips is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Phillips was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
