Two Alabama State Troopers are among nominees for this year’s Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement. Gov. Robert Bentley today, May 7, is scheduled to address these distinguished individuals who are responsible for saving the lives of fellow officers, as well as the general public during the past year.
The State Troopers nominated are Trooper David Box of the Quad Cities Post and Trooper Lee M. Phillips of the Dothan Post.
“Our Troopers consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to serve and protect the citizens of this state,” Alabama’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said. “Trooper Box and Trooper Phillips, however, certainly are deserving of the 2015 Legislative Medal of Honor, and we at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) could not be prouder.”
Trooper Box’s commanders nominated him for his actions following a horrendous traffic crash in December 2014 in which he was critically injured. While conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 22 in Marion County, Trooper Box realized a tractor-trailer was heading in his direction. He immediately yelled for the driver of the stopped vehicle to move out of the big truck’s path. The truck not only struck that vehicle, but it also forced the Trooper’s patrol car into the Trooper’s path and threw him into a drainage ditch. Disregarding his own extensive injuries, Trooper Box instructed bystanders first to check on the drivers of the car and the truck. This Trooper -- despite his injuries and inability to move – maintained his composure and continued to offer courtesy, service and protection to the other involved parties.
Trooper Phillips’ nomination stems from what he thought would be a routine traffic stop in March 2014 in rural Geneva County. The incident quickly escalated and resulted in an exchange of gunfire that left him and the vehicle's two occupants injured. It turned out the vehicle had been stolen, and its two occupants 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.
Collier said, “Trooper Box and Trooper Phillips truly have earned our respect and admiration for risking their own lives to serve others. They both are deserving of this distinguished honor. I challenge you to read their nominations and understand the sacrifice and heroism of both of these remarkable State Troopers.”
-30-
Fatality
No
