Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Cleatus Phillips was shot and killed when he and the sheriff went to a home to question a man about allegations that he had abused his girlfriend. Around 10:30 a.m., Deputy Phillips and the sheriff borrowed a car that the man would not recognize and drove to the home in the early morning. As Deputy Phillips stepped onto the back porch of the home, the suspect shot him in the face, killing him. The suspect was arrested a short time later after a standoff. He was convicted of Deputy Phillips' murder and sent to prison for 60 years. Deputy Phillips had served with the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-726F5504- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Phillips gave the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Madrid 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 Cleatus L. 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Madrid County Sheriff's Dept., 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. Cleatus L. Phillips's cause is highlighted.
How Cleatus L. Phillips Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 60 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cleatus L. Phillips is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cleatus L. Phillips was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Madrid County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
