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Incident
Sergeant Ronald Phillips suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to free his patrol car after it became stuck during a snow storm.
After several attempts of trying to move it, he called for a tow truck. When the tow truck arrived eight minutes later, the driver found Sergeant Phillips suffering from cardiac arrest inside the patrol car. He was transported to Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center where he died a short time later.
Sergeant Phillips had served with the Polk County Sheriff's Department for five years, and had served in law enforcement for 20 years. He had previously served as chief of police of Syracuse Police Department, Ainsworth Police Department, and Minden Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Phillips gave the Polk County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Osceola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Phillips.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Ronald is the only officer of Polk County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Ronald is one of 10 officers lost to cardiac events in NE, 6.6% of the 151 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer in NE was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 2022, with 2.
In 2004, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2004, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ronald was 56. Of the 10 lost to cardiac events in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 55.3; the middle age was 52. Ronald had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 21 years.
Ronald was 56. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ronald had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ronald was 56. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ronald had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
January holds 10% of these deaths in NE; November holds the most, 20%. Mondays: 20%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.9%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.6% of all 151 deaths in NE, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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