A married mother of six who worked as an Ozarks police officer was killed in a high-speed chase on Missouri highways early Saturday morning.
Phylicia Carson, 33, was on patrol shortly before 1:20 a.m. when she noticed a vehicle speeding on U.S. 54 near Passover Road, Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis said.
He then activated his lights and attempted to stop traffic, but the unidentified driver fled the scene. Fox 2 Now reports.
As Carson attempted to pursue the suspect, his patrol car began to skid and left the road, crashing into a tree.
His patrol car caught fire and Carson, who joined the police department last year, died in the crash, Davis said.
Osage Beach Police Officer Phylicia Carson, 33, was killed in a high-speed chase over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the suspect crashed his own vehicle minutes later on State Highway A and was taken into custody.
He could now face felony charges for fleeing a traffic stop under the state’s new Valentine’s Day Law, Camden County Prosecutor Richelle Grosvenor said.
“Rest assured that the Camden County District Attorney’s Office will review the facts.” She told Ozarks First.
“We are going to collect what is due and we are going to do it with the resources we have.”
Carson had joined the police department last year. His death marks the department’s first line-of-duty loss in 30 years.
Meanwhile, the Osage Police Department and community members gathered over the weekend to remember the fallen officer.
Police department staff noted that her favorite color was pink, and to honor Carson, members of the public stopped by the police department on Saturday to leave pink flowers on a police cruiser.
His death marked the police department’s first line-of-duty loss in 30 years. according to KY3.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson offered his condolences following the incident, saying he and his wife “are keeping his family and the Osage Beach community in our prayers.”
“Officer Carson will not be forgotten,” he said. wrote in X.
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe also said he and his wife “extend our deepest condolences to Officer Carson’s husband, six children and fellow officers.”
“We must remember those law enforcement officers who bravely serve their communities, despite the threats they face,” he said. wrote.
“May Officer Carson never be forgotten.”
Carson was remembered online as a loving wife to her husband, Grant
Cira Clement Monnig wrote that Carson “lived absolutely for” her six children.
Others remembered Carson as a loving mother and wife to her husband, Grant.
‘Phylicia Carson has always been one of those women who inspires you because of the person she was… God-loving, mother bear, funny, outspoken (and) a bundle of joy,’ Cira Clement Monnig wrote on Facebook.
‘My heart breaks for her, for Grant Carson, and for her children, for whom she lived absolutely.
‘Please lift this family up and ask God to surround them with peace.’
Summer Trowbridge also said she met Carson a few months ago and the two became fast friends.
“Every day she would send me Snapchat videos talking about her shift or her days off, and she would talk about how proud she was of her kids’ or her husband’s accomplishments as well,” Trowbridge wrote.
“She always lit up the room with her laughter or her jokes,” he continued. “When you were upset, she was very good at making you feel better.”
Community members gathered at the police department over the weekend to leave pink flowers on a patrol car in memory of Carson.
“I was lucky to have known her for as long as I did,” Trowbridge concluded.
“We will miss her, we will love her and we will never forget her.”
Nadine Kelsay, meanwhile, wrote: “When I first heard that Phylicia was training to be a police officer, I thought that was the perfect job for her. She was always the kind of person who would love deeply and do anything to protect those she loved.
‘While I wouldn’t say I was close to her, I did share some wonderful memories with her as a first-time mom (well, I was, she was in her fourth year)!
‘I always enjoyed his intensity and rawness. I always felt he was someone I could trust to tell the truth, even if it might upset someone.
“Phylicia Carson, I never told you this, but thank you for your service,” Kelsay concluded.
‘As a wife and mother of six, I truly felt it was a selfless act to also take on the task of protecting an entire community.
‘I thank you, Grant Carson and everyone else at the Osage Beach Police Department who decided to protect my family and our community.
‘Your sacrifice is not in vain and will be remembered for many, many years.’