Townsend Police sergeant awarded LAPD’S Medal of Valor
TOWNSEND >> Police Sgt. David Phillips, a former Los Angeles Police officer, was working with a LAPD Police Gang Unit on April 2, 2008, searching for a known armed gang member wanted on warrants for carjacking and threatening to kill police.
Unit members located their suspect, but he fled in a motor vehicle, crashed into Phillips’ and his partner’s cruiser, and then emerged and began shooting at another officer nearby.
One of Phillips’ colleagues was shot in the chest, saved only by a U.S. Marine Corps pin that deflected a bullet. Phillips and other colleagues returned
Book signing by local author
LOWELL >> Coalition for a Better Acre hosts a book signing and talk by CBA founder Charlie Gargiulo, author of the newly released “Legends of Little Canada: Aunt Rose, Harry’s Bookland, and My Captain Jack,” Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 517 Moody St., Second Floor. Signed copies will be available for purchase.
Michael Patrick Macdonald, author of “All Souls, A Family Story from Southie,” which chronicles his childhood growing up in the projects in South Boston, will also appear at the free event. Macdonald provided a testimonial for Gargiulo’s book.
“We’re honored and excited to have two unbelievable community organizers under one roof,” CBA Executive Director Yun-ju Choi said. “Charlie has long served as our moral and missiondriven compass. His book is a loving tribute which brings to life the importance of neighborhood preservation and seeking and honoring the voices of our community. You won’t want to miss this event.”
Wednesday nature walks with NRWA
Join the National River Watershed Association for a weekly exploration of local trails and ecosystems on Wednesdays through Nov. 1, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
The hikes are designed for adults and families with children ages 7 and up, but backpack babies are welcome. For the safety of all, no dogs are allowed. Appropriate hiking attire is encouraged. Mosquito repellent is highly recommended. Future walks include:
• Oct. 11: Flat Rock
LOWELL >> Writers of all levels are invited to share work and to meet with other writers and readers during the Lowell Writers Open Mic night on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m., at Lala Books, 189 Market St.
The event will focus on spoken word poetry and storytelling and all sorts of writers are encouraged to participate. A signup sheet will be available at the door upon arrival. For information, email Stephan Anstey from the Lowell Writers Group at Anstey@gmail.com or text to 508-523-9976. Or contact Lala Books at 978-221-5966.
Gallery Z
LOWELL >> The visual and performing arts center Gallery Z presents an exhibit “A Lowell Artists Collective II,” 167 Market St. Daytime hours are Wednesday-sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; evening hours are Thursday-saturday, 7 to 10 p.m.; closing reception is Saturday, Oct. 7, 7 to 9 p.m.
The pop-up exhibition features the art of 15 local artists. For more information, call 978-6925040.
fire, killing the suspect.
In a narrative of the incident on the Los Angeles Police Department’s website, police say that:
“Simultaneously, the suspect fired two shots at Martin, striking him on the left chest under his badge. Martin fell to the ground and
as the suspect approached him, he attempted to get up and fired one to two more rounds at the suspect. Valdez saw Martin fall to the ground and shot at the suspect once. At the same time, Phillips exited his police vehicle, took cover by the suspect’s vehicle, and upon observing the suspect shoot at Martin, fired three rounds at the suspect.”
Phillips worked for LAPD for another three years, before
transferring in 2011 to the Townsend Police Department, where he has since risen to the rank of sergeant.
On Sept. 21, Phillips and four former LAPD colleagues were awarded the Medal of Valor — the Department’s highest honor — by LAPD Chief Michel Moore.
A video about the incident prepared by the LAPD has been posted online.
Phillips, who has remained close friends with many former colleagues, returned to the City of Angels to accept the honor.
“This wasn’t something that I expected, but it’s definitely an honor that they saw this case and thought to issue these medals to us,” said Phillips.
Sgt. Phillips now supervises other officers on both day and early night shifts, and serves as a firearms and active shooter response instructor for the Townsend
Police Department.
“Sgt. Phillips has served the Townsend Police with distinction since 2011, and he could not be more deserving of this honor,” said Townsend Police Chief James Sartell. “All of us at the Townsend Police Department are proud of Sgt. Phillips and the way he laid his life on the line for a fellow officer. It is an honor to call him a colleague.”
— Courtesy of the Townsend Police Department