More than just 'a cop in Evansville'
Photo 
Art Phillips
EVANSVILLE — School Board President Michael Pierick once asked Art Phillips if he ever considered leaving his position as lieutenant of the Evansville Police Department for a job with the sheriff's office or State Patrol.
"He said, 'Oh no, I just want to be a cop in Evansville," Pierick recalled him saying. "'If it didn't work out here, I don't know what I would have done.'"
Friends across Rock County are remembering Phillips today for his love of Evansville and his goal of making a difference wherever he went.
"He was so-well liked. If he had any enemies, they were certainly well hidden," Pierick said.
Phillips, 46, died Tuesday at his Evansville home from what family believe was a heart attack. Funeral arrangements are pending with Ward Funeral Home.
He served 5 1/2 years on the Evansville School Board and was appointed in January to the county board, then elected in spring.
Phillips started his service to the Evansville community in 1982 as a part-time police officer, joining the department full time in 1984. Promotions followed until achieving the rank of lieutenant—the department's second in command—in 1998.
Police Chief Scott McElroy worked side-by-side Phillips the last 22 years.
Each morning, Phillips would walk by McElroy's office, jokingly greeting him with a "Good morning, George" or "Good morning, Henry," as if he didn't remember McElroy's name, McElroy said.
"I'm still waiting for him to walk by my office," he said.
Losing not only a colleague but also a good friend, McElroy said this morning the shock still was too much to digest.
"Art did so much for the city, for the county," he said. "This is just a huge loss for all of us."
Phillips served as a firearms instructor for his department and was a previous instructor at the Blackhawk Technical College Police Academy.
His friendly face will be missed in the halls and offices of Rock County government, county staff and officials said this morning.
"He was a close friend. We worked with him daily," said Dave Sleeter, director of the Rock County Communications Center.
Sleeter said Phillips was a proactive supporter of public safety in the county. He was on the ad hoc advisory committee that explored and then set up the countywide 911 system in 1991, Sleeter said.
His death is "an immeasurable loss," Pierick said.
"Art was the classic small-town cop. He knew everybody," he said.
Phillips was born and raised in Evansville and was a natural as a police officer, his wife, Pat, said.
"He just loved working for the community," his wife said. "He tried to make a difference wherever he went."
He enjoyed his short time on the county board so much that he wanted to eventually move on to higher elected positions, his wife said.
Phillips' enthusiasm will be missed on the board, Supervisor Richard Ott said. Ott, former board chairman, appointed Phillips in January and later sat next to him as a supervisor.
"In the short time he held the position, Art loved serving on the county board," Ott said. "He hoped to do so for a long, long time. He was a quick study and a good student."
He loved attending meetings, friends said, and served on several committees, including the county board finance and a sub-committee of the criminal justice coordinating council.
He continued to find new ways to get involved, Ott said, such as joining groups supporting Carver-Roehl and Beckman Mill county parks.
But it was his down-to-earth, straightforwardness that left such a positive impact on people, friends said. His personality and willingness to help made him well-liked throughout the community, assistant Evansville EMS coordinator Kathy Buttchen said.
"He was just a great, wonderful person. Always willing to give his shirt off his back," she said.
When Tom Alisankus became municipal judge 18 years ago, Phillips was his first court officer.
"He was the 'go-to' person for many things, particularly in law enforcement," Alisankus said. "I respected his advice and counsel and sought it often."
County Administrator Craig Knutson said county employees enjoyed working with Phillips, who asked good questions and had great knowledge of how local government works.
"He understood county government and public safety services," Knutson said. "He had great insight into how those systems operated. He was obviously very involved in his community, and he was in local government for all the right reasons."
Oct 3, 2008 at 10:56 a.m.
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It's amazing what an impact a small city officer had on the community and in Law Enforcement. Art always made a smart comment when he first saw you for the day and laugh two seconds later. Good-bye Lt. Thanks for everything.
Oct 3, 2008 at 4:49 a.m.
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I keep thinking about how sad this is, and how it is okay to state the obvious about that. I am also thinking of all of you at Evansville PD, and all of my heart felt feelings to Art's family. I would like to thank him for all of his service, and his service to his community. #635
Oct 3, 2008 at 3:01 a.m.
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Art was an icon in this community. He had a hand in just about everything positive in Evansville and around the county. Though I only knew him for 5 short years, because of the warm person he was, I feel that I knew him all of my life. Art & Pat were the best neighbors we've ever had. I miss sitting on the porch with Art watching trafiic go by. He treated my kids as if they were his. It was easier knowing that the big guy was right next door keeping an eye on my family when I could not. The man loved life and everyone close to him in it. Art and I had coffee nearly every morning before his tour started. He would walk into the gas station and say to me, "Good Mornin' George." I would reply with, "Mornin' Boss, how are ya doin' today? He would always respond with, "Rotten, and you." The morning coffee at the gas station was the birth place of many meaningful and insightful conversations. He always had time to listen and always had advice to give. I will miss those times. Good bye old friend, thank you for all you have done for me. Myself and my family's deepest condolences are with Pat and the rest of the family. God bless you all.
Oct 2, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.
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Art was an angel. Those lucky enough to have met him know this. A true hero to our communities. Anyone that reads the comments left for him will only come to one conclusion. God bless the family. I have included the other fine, must-read comments can be that people have left for Art. They can be found here:
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/lates...
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/e-lif...
Obituary:
http://gazettextra.com/obits/2008/oct/02...
Oct 2, 2008 at 10:57 a.m.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Phillips Family... Art was the BEST police officer Evansville ever had. He gave so much to his community and to the kids. He Was there to help the kids out with problems and they were never afraid to ask him any question because they knew that he would listen to them and give them good advice. Art was the only police officer the kids had as a good role modle to really look up to!!! We will all miss that smiling face every morning going to school. Art will be deeply missed by all!
Oct 2, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.
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I have known Art since the day he started at the Evansville Police Department. I have been friends since that day. I have worked with Art on several cases.
Art has always been a true friend and a devoted Law Enforement Officer. Art would do anything to help help someone. Other than his wife Pat, his job was the most important thing to him. I was just in Evansville early last week and stopped in to to visit him.
I had just told him, that he is involved with so much, not only in Evansville but the whole County that he will have a BUST of his melon head some place in town. I then looked at him and said they would have to have cement trucks from all over the County to have enough cement. We had a good laugh over that.
Art you have and always will be a TRUE friend. To Art's wife Pat, my thoughts and prayers will be with you today and always.
Not only has Evansville lost a great person, so has the the entire Rock County. As far as the Evansville Police Department, keep your heads high as that is what Art would have wanted. I am sure that the Police Department knows who is sending this, so remember if any of you need anything, PLEASE call me anytime.
Oct 2, 2008 at 6:57 a.m.
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MY THOUGHTS AND PREAYERS are with Pat and his whole family...Art will be missed and never forgotten.. HE WAS THE BEST EVANSVILLE EVER HAD. R.I.P ART!!
Oct 2, 2008 at 5:45 a.m.
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My thoughts and prayers are with Art's large, loving family. Art and I worked days together for years so I had the opportunity to see how many lives he touched first hand. Art has taught me many things over the years that made me the officer, and person I am today. Thanks for everything LT.
Oct 1, 2008 at 12:15 p.m.
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Art will miss by all of Evansville, young and old alike. He was so respected by the young people of this town that when my high school son came home and broke the news to me, he was in shock and tears. To many he was Officer Friendly. He was someone the youth of this town trusted. People like him can never be replaced. My prayers are with his wife Pat, and the entire Phillips family, May God Be With You All
Oct 1, 2008 at 11:14 a.m.
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It will certainly be strange around Evansville w/o Art's wave coming from the inside of the squad car. I remeber Art calling Pat every morning to make sure she was awake (he was up and at work before she'd be awake). I thought...wow, he really loves this lady. He'd say..."hold on, I gotta call the warden and make sure she's up". He always said it w/ a smile and really loved her, I think he looked forward to calling her just as much as she looked forward to his call. He had a great sense of humor and could make everyone laugh. Even if you were having a bad day he'd say something smart and you couldn't help but laugh and everything just seemed so much less complicated. I always admired that about his life.
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:54 a.m.
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There sure will be an empty space around here. Peace to the family.
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.
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WOW! My thoughts and prayers go out to Art's personal & public families. A true Evansville icon - he will be missed!
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to Art's family, friends, and co-workers. This is truly a loss to the community.
Oct 1, 2008 at 10:18 a.m.
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We miss you Art. I can't believe you are gone.
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