Madison County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch: Monday, December 22, 1930
Age: 75
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 22, 1930
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Sheriff John Phillips was shot and killed at a home ten miles north of Huntsville when he attempted to arrest an 84-year-old man for shooting at another man. As Sheriff Phillips' deputy read the warrant the subject grabbed a shotgun from under some clothes on his bed and shot Sheriff Phillips, killing him instantly. The subject was apprehended near Huntsville several hours later.
The suspect was convicted of Sheriff Phillips' murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on June 17th, 1931.
At the time of his death, Sheriff Phillips had only nine days left to serve in office. He was survived by his wife and several children.