Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and sacrifice Officer Phillips. I just saw your case on 48 Hours. I'm glad your family got justice.

Tonya Lafarr
Private Citizen, Law Enforcement Supporter

September 11, 2024

Rest in peace Officer Phillips.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 31, 2022

I salute you brother officer. You gave it your all.

Patrolman William Gomola
Bay Village Ohio Police Department

December 3, 2020

Thank you for your service and today we remind you and your family that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 22, 2020

It was 62 years ago today that you were ambushed while doing your duty. I was an eight year old at the time, living in this small town. I always remembered the incident and followed it closely, as did my younger brother. I got a call one day from my brother advising me that the "cop killers" were to be on "Cold Case Files". I was glad that the perpetrator was finally going to be punished. It wasn't right that he got to spend his entire life free only to spend his declining years being supported by the taxpayers.

Dennis W. Barrett
Citizen

July 29, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 61st anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

July 22, 2018

Amassing story how it took nearly 40 years for a finger print discovered from a burglary was finally matched to the murder of these police officers. "The wicked will not go unpunished."
Proverbs 11:21

Tennessee Sheriff
DCSO

June 20, 2018

I am a recruit for ESPD currently attending the LASD academy. Although this occurred about 70 years ago, it deeply impacts me. Officer Phillips and his partner died heroes and will never be forgotten in this town.

Recruit Joshua Gilberts
El Segundo Police Department

February 24, 2018

In those last moments of your life you had fired several shots at the man who killed you. One of these bullets non-fatally wounded him, and also gave him a scar for life. That scar helped those detectives catch you and your partner's killer. I didn't think you ever realized how important those last gunshots in those last moments of your life were. God bless you and rest in peace.

Citizen

October 24, 2016

If your killer was truly sorry, truly remorseful for his crimes, he would have turned himself in. As soon as the furman decision came through (this protected from execution when he was caught) he should have turned himself in immediately as he was no longer at risk of execution

Citizen

July 28, 2016

The story of the capture of the criminal who killed these officers has to rank with one of the best of all time. Forty-five years after the fact, the diligence of the police paid off. Hats off to the families of Officers Phillips and Curtis.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen

July 22, 2016

Rest in Peace Police Officer Richard A. Phillips. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice Protecting the citizens of El Segundo, CA. Your Service is Exemplary in all respects.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw on the rotten soul of your murderer. May he never see the light of day or the outside of prison

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

July 20, 2016

Heard your story on Forensic Files. You were the same age as my son when he too was killed in the line of duty.Thank you for your service. Rest in Peace. I'm glad they were able to find your killer and put him away. Thoughts are with your family.

G. Birkholz
mother of Officer Craig Birkholz, E.O.W. 3/20/11

April 23, 2016

So glad your killer was finally caught. Rest in Peace Officer Phillips. God's Blessings to your family.

Jackie

n/a
n/a

January 31, 2015

I am 70 years old and grew up in El Segundo , 1951 to 1959. We lived at 613 E. Grand Ave and I was going into the 8th grade when this "small town" tragedy happened.

It was just the start of 57 chevy era.

I don't know, but one of these officers may have been the one that plucked me from an oil derek (just a block south of the city park) one day. (I was not too sensible at that age)

I often checked as to what happened with this case and after 45 years I wondered if maybe some forensic test may solve this bazaar case. When it was solved with a finger print (probably due to 911), I felt great relief. This just shows that if you do bad/desperate things you are never past paying for your actions.

John Wayne Warren

January 30, 2015

I've seen your story several times growing up. I was an Explorer in the same general vicinity of El Segundo at the time your murderer was caught and I was elated to hear he had finally been brought to justice. Your story has always been in the back of my mind when working graveyards in LA County. I just saw your story again on ID Discovery tonight. You will never be forgotten!

Santa Fe Springs CHP Officer Jeremy Tole
California Highway Patrol

January 7, 2015

Thank you Officer Phillips for your service. Watching your story on Cold Case Files. You will never be forgotten. Hope you are resting in peace.

Erin Powell, Police Dispatcher
Memorial Villages Police Department

November 15, 2014

watching your story on "Cold Case Files". RIP hero, we have the watch.

Sergeant Bill Clock
Ann Arbor, MI Police Department

February 4, 2014

This was a most unusual case, dependent upon a cold case investigation which resulted in a conviction nearly 45 years after the crime. Justice was finally observed.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

July 22, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 56th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I am glad that justice finally prevailed.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

January 15, 2013

The arduos investigation and search shoud not be presented in such a short vesion. It took years of dedication and hard old fashioned police work to bring the killer to justice.
As a tribute to the fallen officer the mission was accomplished by a conscientous, skilled core of investgators.
The true story should abound in every police department in the nation.

Ret. P.O. Stanley Bleecher
NYPD

January 6, 2013

Rest in peace, justice has been served.

Detective Joe De Seve (Ret)
East Greenbush PD (New York)

November 10, 2012

I am the Oldest Granddaughter of Officer Phillips. I came across this site showing someone about my Grandfather. The words spoken from all of you wonderful people about my Grandfather has touched my heart deeply.although I did not get to have the extreme pleasure of knowing this angel I am very proud of him. he touched hearts in life and death. Thank you all so much.Sincerely, Lori ann Simmons.
Granddaughter.

Lori ann Simmons
Granddaughter

April 1, 2012

Sir:

I just saw your case on TV tonight. I had already planned daily briefing training for tomorrow, Memorial Day. I will be honoring the late Sgt. Darryll K. Lee of Rialto PD EOW: July 27, 1970. He also died on-duty. It will be an honor to also tell the story of you and your partner, Officer Milton Curtis. I have always told my officers to fight and never give-up. Officer Phillips, you showed what a fighter does best. You spoke from the grave by wounding the suspect who has been brought to justice. May GOD bless you, Officer Curtis, and all of the persons who helped close your case.

Sgt. James F. Gibbons, Jr.
Rialto PD-Rialto, Ca.

May 31, 2010

Rest in Peace, Officer Phillips. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009