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Incident
Village Marshal John Phipps succumbed to rabies as a result of being bitten by a rabid dog. The dog had bitten a young girl and, as Marshal Phipps attempted to kill it, the dog also bit the officer. After showing symptoms of the disease, he was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where he later died.
Survivors
Marshal Phipps was survived by wife and 12 children (several from two previous marriages).
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Village Marshal Phipps served with the Wood River Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wood River community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Phipps.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wood River Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 5 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1916, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1916, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 58. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37.
John was 58. 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.
John was 58. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
January holds 7.9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wood River Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wood River Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wood River Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
