Remembering a Man's Life of Service

There is no way to make sense of the tragedy when a young man like Pelham police officer Philip Davis is killed in the line of duty, leaving behind a beautiful family and a bright future. We cannot understand why his life ended abruptly at age 33, but we can celebrate how he lived and who he was. This senseless shooting during a routine traffic stop brought to light the life of two men: one always running to help others, one obviously running from despair. The City of Pelham was blessed by the man who ran to help.

What can you say about a man who devotes his life’s work to protecting others? Clearly, such an individual values people’s lives enough to put his own life at risk every day. We all deal with frustrations at work; few are called to step out and stand up boldly for strangers, freedom and justice. Philip Davis accepted this challenge every time he put his uniform on. Throughout his eleven-year law enforcement career in Tuscaloosa, Calera and Pelham, Philip demonstrated the best of his profession. The gathering of hundreds of officers from across the nation for his memorial service at The Church at Brook Hills was a testimony to his life’s work.

What can you say about a man who pursues higher education while working hard to provide for his family? Philip Davis was a man with vision, determined to make a better life for the people he loved. He was willing to work multiple jobs, study, teach a college course on criminal justice and train women in self-defense. He earned an undergraduate and a Master’s Degree and was considering a Doctorate. Such great effort is the result of a man’s imagination about a future filled with possibilities.

What can you say about a man who builds a sense of community wherever he goes? Philip Davis was not a spectator when it came to helping others make connections. He was a teacher, a mentor, a colleague and friend. Since his death, students have posted memories of how he got them engaged in class; how he made them feel important, part of something bigger. Philip got involved with his church, his community, and his friend’s lives. He was part of a brotherhood of Pelham police officers that understood his values and the choices he made to better his life.

What can you say about a man who loves his family so much, he wants to show the world? Philip Davis was proud to post pictures of his wife Paula, his young daughter Sarah and his infant son John on his Facebook page. You don’t have to be a psychologist to recognize the love shared between the people in these pictures; the smiles, the tilt of a head and the tuck of an arm are evidence of a closeness we all hope to share within our family. In this regard, Philip Davis was obviously blessed.

What can you say about the kind of faith that sustains us through such a tragedy? You can say this is the kind of faith in God, service, community and family that Philip Davis demonstrated every day of his life. For the people of Pelham – the community that meant so much to Philip – it’s important to say a lot about a man like Officer Davis, so that his influence survives for a long, long time. (As appearing in Pelham Magazine, January 2010)