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Cleatus L. Phillips
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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Madrid County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Cleatus is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Cleatus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cleatus is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1960, 3 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1960, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1960, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cleatus was 39. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Cleatus had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cleatus was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Cleatus had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cleatus was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cleatus had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.2% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at New Madrid County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
New Madrid County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Cleatus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Madrid County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.