PC Dave Phillips to posthumously receive Freedom of Wirral today

Merseyside officer was hit by stolen pick up truck last October

Published 20th May 2016

A police officer mowed down by a teenage car thief is to posthumously receive a Freedom of the Borough award.

Hundreds of people flocked to town halls across Wirral, Merseyside, to pay their respects to PC Dave Phillips last October and sign books of condolence.

The married father of two was killed as he set down a tyre-puncturing stinger device in a bid to stop a stolen Mitsubishi truck during a police pursuit in Wallasey.

Pc Phillips, 34, was well known in the local community and worked closely with Wirral Council and other organisations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

The council will honour him on Friday with its highest award as a tribute to his professionalism and kindness''.

His family, including his widow Jen, 29, will receive the award in a ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy will also attend, alongside Merseyside Police's Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy, other officers and invited dignitaries.

Ms Kennedy said: Constable 6554 David Phillips grew up in the Wirral and joined his local Force, Merseyside Police, to serve the people of his local community. He joined because he wanted to help keep the people of the Wirral safe, including his beloved wife and daughters.

Pc Phillips made the ultimate sacrifice in his commitment to his community and I can think of no-one more deserving of this, the Borough's highest recognition.''

The leader of Wirral Council, Phil Davies, said: It is obvious from the comments in the books of condolence, Pc Phillips touched many lives with his professionalism, judgment and kindness.

'On behalf of the people of Wirral, we want to pay tribute to those qualities by awarding Pc Phillips the highest civic honour we can.

In March Clayton Williams, 19, was locked up for 20 years after he was convicted of the officer's manslaughter.

In emotional scenes at Manchester Crown Court, Mrs Phillips directly addressed the defendant in the dock and told him he had plunged her and her daughters, Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three, into a living hell''.