PHOTO: Clark County Deputy Fred Phillips pauses for a photo with the Invictus Award presented to him for an act of bravery. | Courtesy photo/Clark County
By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com
“I feel like I got hit by a truck,” Fred Phillips said, recalling what he told his wife, half-jokingly, the day after his patrol car was literally plowed into by an oncoming Peterbilt tractor-trailer.
The 65-year-old deputy sheriff on Monday was presented the Invictus Award from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.
The prestigious award was bestowed upon Phillips for putting his own life in harm’s way when, on the morning of Oct. 3, he positioned his patrol car in front of a semi that was traveling the wrong direction on Interstate 30 in south Clark County.
That morning, 911 calls to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office dispatched Deputy Phillips to I-30. En route to the area, Phillips observed an 18-wheeler traveling west in the eastbound lane. In constant contact with Sheriff Jason Watson during the course of events that would unfold, Phillips was able to get far enough ahead of the truck to cross the interstate and position his SUV in the shoulder of the eastbound lane. Moments later, the 18-wheeler slammed into Phillips’ police-issued SUV.
“I don’t know how many people would park their car in front of an 18-wheeler going 60 mph on the interstate. It takes a very special and courageous person to do that.”
— Chris Chapmond, Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training
The patrol unit was totaled, but Phillips miraculously managed to avoid any life-threatening injuries.
The truck driver is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.
Application for the award was initiated by local lawman, Trooper Matt Hall of the Arkansas State Police.
CLEST Director Chris Chapmond, along with deputy directors Eric Wacaster and Jason Lawrence, presented the award at the Clark County Quorum Court’s December meeting.
“I don’t know how many people would park their car in front of an 18-wheeler going 60 mph on the interstate,” Chapmond said. “It takes a very special and courageous person to do that.”
CLEST deputy director Jason Lawrence, reading a passage from poet William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus”, acknowledged that Phillips “knew he needed to do what was necessary to keep [the public] safe.”
Phillips said it was a “great honor” to receive the award. Reflecting back on that fateful October morning, Phillips said, “You never know what’s going to come.”
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