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Incident
Police Officer Richard Phillips and Police Officer Milton Curtis were shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for running a red light. Unbeknownst to the officers, the suspect had just raped a teenage girl after holding two couples at gunpoint. Both officers were shot and killed while they were writing a ticket. On January 29th, 2003, 45 years after the murders, the 70-year-old suspect was arrested at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, as the result of a new FBI fingerprint database. The fingerprints were matched to a 1956 South Carolina burglary and linked to the suspect. The suspect was convicted of both murders on March 24th, 2003, and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2009. He was denied parole in 2009 and died in prison in January 2017. Officer Phillips had served with the El Segundo Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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.
Police Officer Phillips gave the El Segundo Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Segundo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Segundo Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1957, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1957, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 28. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 28. 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. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at El Segundo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
El Segundo Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from El Segundo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
