SUGAR HILL, Ga. — A former police officer injured in the line of duty says he has lost his career and he is about to lose his Sugar Hill home.
Three years ago, Paul Philips was helping a woman under attack when he was shot by a drunken police officer.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Manuel Bojorquez covered the trial surrounding the Feb. 1, 2008, shooting.
Then-Duluth police officer Jay Dailey got drunk after work and attacked a woman driving by. Philips was on his way home when he stopped to intervene and got involved in a shooting with Dailey.
Due to injuries from the shooting, Philips lost partial use of his left arm, rendering him incapable of fulfilling all of his law enforcement duties. Bojorquez caught up with Philips, who was looking for a new job.
“I miss being able to serve a lot,” Philips told Bojorquez.
He said the pension he receives now is only a third of what he made with a full-time job and extra assignments. His wife also just lost her job. In the economic slump, finding a job with limited range of motion has been next to impossible, Philips said.
“Not being able to provide for my family is just unreal. It’s just unreal to me,” he told Bojorquez.
After working with the bank and paying as much as they can for the last six months, Philips said his family will soon lose the fight to keep their home.
“Our property will be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash,” Philips said.
Despite his family’s hardship, Philips said he doesn’t regret his actions in the shooting.
“No, I’m a police officer. I save lives. That’s what you swear to do. I’m an oath-keeper,” Philips said. “It just has to be done.”
If you would like to donate to the Philips family, a fund has been set up through the Wells Fargo Bank. You can visit the branch on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Suwanee and donate to the “Officer Paul Philips” fund.
