Incident
Deputy Sheriff Kiv Phillips was shot and killed after responding to a bar, in Tombstone, after receiving reports that a man was threatening patrons with a gun. The bar owner had sent a messenger to notify the Sheriff, but the messenger encountered Deputy Phillips on his way and told him instead. Deputy Phillips rushed to the bar and was shot when he arrived at the scene. He was able to return fire and fatally wounded the suspect, who died two days later.
Survivors
Deputy Phillips was survived by his sister and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Phillips served with the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bisbee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cochise County Sheriff's Department has lost 15 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Kiv is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Kiv is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kiv is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1882, 1 officer at Cochise County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1885, with 2.
In 1882, 4 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1882, 51 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kiv was 26. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Cochise County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47.3; the middle age was 41.
Kiv was 26. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Kiv was 26. 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.
Kiv was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Cochise County Sheriff's Department; April holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 7.1%.
July holds 11.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Fridays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 93.3% of all 15 deaths at Cochise County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cochise County Sheriff's Department has 15 officers remembered here, Kiv among them.
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Kiv Phillips
Jul 7, 1882
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D. Tom Smith Dec 8, 1883
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William A. Daniels
Jun 9, 1885
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Casper Albert Nov 26, 1885
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Cesario Lucero Aug 12, 1888
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Jake Bowman Apr 25, 1893
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Chet L. Ainsworth Apr 6, 1899
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Ted Moore Apr 6, 1899
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Arthur A. Wight Feb 10, 1904
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John Rooney
Apr 6, 1913
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Edward J. Miller Aug 12, 1913
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Orson McRae
Jul 12, 1917
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Fred Kenney Jun 17, 1932
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Leroy Dale Brown
Dec 6, 1969
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Jeffrey Carl Brown
Sep 26, 1983
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Cochise County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.




