In the early moments of a Sunday morning in Little Rock, Arkansas, a young police officer's life was tragically cut short. Officer W. T. Phillips, a 22-year-old male, was on duty when he encountered a drunk man and attempted to place him under arrest. The stop, however, took a fatal turn shortly after midnight on August 2, 1908.
During the attempt to take the man into custody, Officer Phillips was shot. The gunfire proved to be fatal, and he died from his injuries.
The weapon used in the incident was a gun of an unknown type. His tour of duty and his time with the Little Rock Police Department were brought to an untimely end.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement initiated an investigation into the murder of Officer Phillips. A suspect was subsequently taken into custody for questioning in connection with the officer's death. The service and sacrifice of Officer Phillips are remembered by his law enforcement brethren.
