Highway Patrol Trooper, Civilian Assistants Recognized at Department of Public Safety Headquarters

What Trooper Lee M. Phillips thought would be a routine traffic stop March 19, 2014, in rural Geneva County quickly escalated and resulted in an exchange of gunfire that left him and the vehicle’s two occupants injured.

On the morning of Feb. 12, Col. John E. Richardson and Lt. Col. Jack Clark invited Phillips and two men who came to his aid to the Capital City, where they were presented with certificates. Phillips earned ALEA’s Distinguised Service Award for pursuing a stolen vehicle and its two occupants, who were suspected of brutally murdering a man in Florida. During the pursuit, the suspects initiated an exchange of gunfire. Despite his injuries, the Trooper managed to fight through the pain and shock to hold one of the suspects at gunpoint until help arrived.

The other suspect managed to escape into a wooded area, but he was apprehended shortly afterward. In addition, a man who lived nearby and his son-in-law witnessed the commotion, called for law enforcement and medical backup and then ran to help the Trooper.  Tom Sullivan and his son-in-law Joey Dicapua risked their own safety to help, and for that, they each received a certificate of appreciation.  Phillips also was recognized at the end of January, when the Dothan VFW  presented him with Trooper of the Year.