Colorado State Patrol, Colorado
End of Watch: Thursday, February 2, 1956
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: February 2, 1956
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Melvin Phillips and Patrolman Floyd Gresham were killed when their cruiser was struck by a tractor-trailer while they conducted a traffic stop.
They had stopped another tractor-trailer on Route 40 (modern day U.S. Highway 287) and were issuing a citation when the other semi rear-ended their cruiser, crushing it between the two trucks, and pushing both vehicles more than 65 feet.
Patrolman Phillips had been employed with the Colorado State Patrol for two years.