Compton Police Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, October 12, 1962
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: October 12, 1962
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Police Officer Dess Phipps was killed in an automobile crash during a high-speed pursuit of two subjects wanted for burglary.
Another vehicle struck Officer Phipps' patrol car at the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Wilmington Avenue. The vehicle then struck two other vehicles. A second accident then occurred when another car collided with several cars that were stopped for the first crash. One driver involved in the second accident was also killed.
The subjects in the vehicle being pursued fled the scene but were later apprehended. They were charged with murder and burglary.
Officer Phipps was a United States World War II Navy veteran who served with the Compton Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, parents, and two brothers.