Prev
Incident
Officer Philip Adams succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck by a vehicle while operating a portable scale checkpoint near the interchange for Highway 30 and I-29 in Harrison County.
He was walking back to his patrol car when he was struck.
Officer Adams had served with the Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnstrtnp7zhwad6sbc02- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Philip. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Adams gave the Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Adams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Philip is the only officer of Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement remembered here.
Philip is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Philip is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Philip is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 3 officers in IA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1973, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Philip was 45. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Philip had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Philip had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Philip was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Philip had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.6% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Saturdays: 9.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Iowa Motor Vehicle Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.