On Thursday, August 7, 2008, at approximately 11:14 p.m., Detectives from Special Investigations were conducting a narcotics “buy-bust” operation in the parking lot of the Green Run Shopping Center located in the 3300 block of Holland Road. During the course of that operation, Detective Michael S. Phillips, 37, was shot three times in the upper torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two suspects were taken into custody within moments and identified as Ted Vincent Carter, 23, and Marshall Demetrius Moyd, 26, both of Virginia Beach. They were subsequently charged with 1st Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Violation of the Drug Control Act.
Detective Phillips was born on June 17, 1971 in Ithaca, NY and was raised in Lansing, NY. Following graduation from High School, Mike went on to serve our Country in the US Air Force for four years. He stared his career in law enforcement when he joined the Hampton Police Department in 1999 and then joined the ranks of the Virginia Beach Police Department in October 2002 where he served faithfully for six years.
Mike was a generous person that was always there to help a friend or stranger in need. He was a volunteer firefighter and baseball coach. He leaves behind his wife of 17 years, Terri Lyn Phillips, and their sons, Bailey, 10 and Bristol, 7 to cherish his memory. His family was the light of his life.
In a message to his officers, Chief Jacocks stated, “…The loss of Detective Michael Phillips, one of our family, one of Virginia Beach's finest, will have a long lasting impact on us. In fact, we will never forget. And we will continue as the premier law enforcement agency, setting the standard of excellence in his memory.”
Mike will be missed by all who knew him or worked with him throughout his life, but he will be remembered by all for the ultimate sacrifice he made. May God grant peace and comfort to his immediate and extended families.