Hit and Run Driver Kills Retired Police Officer

September 15, 2009

Pomona – A 55-year-old retired veteran of the Azusa Police Department was killed by a hit-and-run driver last Saturday morning.

Randall “Randy” Phillips was killed on his way to administer a police explorers’ class in Arcadia, Azusa Police Sgt. Jerry Arnold said.

Arnold added that Phillips has been instructing aspiring teenage police officers through the explorers’ program for 25 years.

The collision occurred on the westbound 60 Freeway transition road to the northbound 71 Freeway at about 6:30 am, Azusa Police Sgt. John Madaloni said in a written statement.

Initial investigations by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicated that Phillips was riding his motorcycle on the transition road when he was hit head-on by a wrong-way driver who then left the scene.

The suspect then abandoned his damaged vehicle on a nearby surface street, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Further details on the case were not available at the moment.

Phillips spent 29 years with the Azusa Police Department before retiring as a Corporal on his 50th birthday in 2004, Madaloni said.

He spent most of his career working as a field supervisor in the patrol division but also worked in community relations as a police explorer supervisor.

“He is survived by his wife and daughter and will be missed by all here at the Azusa Police Department” Madaloni said in the written statement.