Hero cop can't work, about to lose house

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By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Fulton County police officer Paul Phillips has been unable to work since he was shot three years ago trying to help a woman under attack. Now, he says, he's about to lose his home.

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Facebook Paul Phillips, former Fulton County police officer who was wounded by a Duluth police officer in 2008, holds his daughter, Raleigh.

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The 40-year-old married father of two just got notice his Sugar Hill home will be sold at auction on March 1.

"I've been paying half the payment for six months, making a good-faith effort," Phillips told the AJC on Thursday. "I don't have money to rent an apartment. We'll probably have to move in with my [parents]."

Phillips had served with Fulton County police for 12 years when he was shot Feb. 1, 2008, by a Duluth police officer, Jay Dailey.

Police say a drunken Dailey was off duty when he crashed his car in Sugar Hill, then flagged down a woman and asked her to call 911. Moments later Dailey inexplicably went on a rampage, smashing her car window, pepper-spraying her and threatening to kill her, according to police.

Phillips, driving home from side job, stopped to intervene. Dailey shot him in the left arm. Phillips returned fire, hitting Dailey in the hand.

A judge sentenced Dailey last summer to 60 years in prison.

Phillips filed a civil suit against Dailey, the city of Duluth and its police leadership. That suit is pending.

Phillips said his wife, Stephanie, quit her job as a health district program manager due to the demands of the trial. She's looking for a job. The couple have an 8-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

Phillips, who struggles to open a jar of peanut butter because of his injuries, continues to do physical therapy. He can't type with his left hand, much less hold a gun.

He briefly worked for a friend's computer business.

"But he's got five kids and with the economy, he couldn't afford to keep me on," said Phillips, whose disability pension isn't enough to support his family.

Phillips said he has no regrets about what he did, despite all the troubles that ensued.

"I took an oath -- regardless of what could happen to me -- to protect others," he said. "Even if I was retired and not a cop anymore, I would have done the same thing. Somebody needs your help. You stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves.

"Otherwise the bad guys just take over and we all lose," he added. "And that's not a world I want my kids in."

Friends have set up a fund to help Phillips and his family. "The Officer Paul Phillips Fund" was established at Wells Fargo Bank, 1042 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Suwanee.