Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Delberth Phipps was shot and killed when he and several other officers responded to reports of an armed subject in the Jah Yard area of Hospital Ground shortly before 8:00 am.
As the officers arrived they encountered a subject wearing a ballistic vest and armed with a semi-automatic rifle. The man opened fire on officers and shot Detective Phipps during the ensuing shootout. The subject was also wounded and taken into custody.
Detective Phipps was transported to Schneider Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.
The man had been arrested for an unrelated murder several months earlier and was out on bond at the time he murdered Detective Phipps.
Detective Phipps had served with the Virgin Islands Police Department for seven years.
Det. Phipps, On today, the 1st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the Virgin Islands. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) July 4th, 2024
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-VI-9DB90321- Stewardship
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- 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.
Detective Phipps gave the Virgin Islands Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte Amalie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Phipps.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr. 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 32,587 officers honored here.
In STI, 10 of 16 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this state's fallen. That is 8.6 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Virgin Islands Police Department, 10 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Delberth Phipps, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Delberth Phipps, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Delberth Phipps, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Delberth Phipps, Jr. was killed by rifle; semi-automatic.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Virgin Islands Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
