In the late winter of 2021, a violent chain of events tragically cut short the life of Decatur County Sheriff's Office Captain Justin Bedwell, a 48-year-old male public servant. The incident began on Saturday, February 27, when deputies in neighboring Seminole County attempted to pull over a white Chevrolet pickup truck for reckless driving. The occupants of the truck, brothers Troy Arthur Phillips, 40, and Brad Phillips, 41, refused to stop, initiating a dangerous high-speed chase. As the pursuit escalated, the brothers began firing a weapon from their moving vehicle at the pursuing officers, who returned fire.
The chase crossed into Decatur County, where local deputies, including Lieutenant Justin Bedwell, joined the effort to apprehend the suspects. The brothers' desperate flight led them to a private residence, where they attempted a home invasion by shooting through the door. The homeowner fired back, forcing the suspects to flee the property. As Bedwell arrived in the area to assist, one of the brothers aimed a. 30 caliber rifle at his patrol car and fired, striking the veteran officer. The pursuit ended shortly after when the Phillips' truck crashed in a wooded area.
Brad Phillips was apprehended at the crash scene, but his brother Troy managed to escape, prompting an intensive manhunt. Troy Phillips, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was captured the following day. Lieutenant Bedwell was airlifted to a hospital in Tallahassee, Florida, in critical condition. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, the nearly 20-year veteran of the sheriff's office succumbed to his injuries on Monday, March 1, 2021. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.
The brothers faced a litany of charges for their crime spree, including felony murder, aggravated assault on a peace officer, and attempted home invasion. In February 2023, Troy Arthur Phillips stood trial for the murder of Captain Bedwell. His own brother, Brad, testified against him. The jury found Troy Phillips guilty, and he was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 55 years, ensuring that the man who fired the fatal shot would be held accountable for his actions.
