Posted Tuesday, September 30, 2008 --- 5:15 p.m.

Statement from the Evansville Police Department:

Chief Scott McElroy and the Evansville Police Department regret to announce the death of Lieutenant Arthur Phillips as a result of natural causes.

Lt Phillips began his service to the citizens of Evansville as a part-time Police Officer on August 12, 1982. On August 15, 1984 he was hired as a full-time Police Officer for the city. Lt Phillips was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on January 1, 1990. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant on March 26, 1998. Lt Phillips also served as a firearms instructor for his department and previously provided training at the Blackhawk Technical College Police Academy for many years.

Lt Phillips was an active member of his community. He began working for the Evansville Emergency Medical Service as a driver in 1984. Lt Phillips was a retired member of the Evansville Fire Department. He also served as a member of the Evansville School Board and the Rock County Board of Supervisors. Art served on numerous committees, including the County Board’s Public Safety and Justice Committee, the Rock County Communications Center Working Group, the Terrorism Core Committee and the Traffic Safety Commission. Lt Phillips was also a member of the Rock River Safety Patrol.

Funeral arrangements for Lt Phillips are pending and will be announced when they are finalized.

Art will be dearly missed by his co-workers, his department and the community he served.