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Philip Phillips

Age : 58

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 07/09/2026

Location : Boat anchored near Whittier in Passage Canal

City : Whittier

County : Chugach Census Area

State : Alaska

Agency : Alaska State Troopers; Alaska Wildlife Troopers; Wasilla Police Department

Officer(s) :Matthew Sidders; David Burtch

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during maritime SWAT operation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/09/2026, Alaska State Troopers searched for 58-year-old Philip Thomas Phillips of Wasilla after he failed to return to Palmer Superior Court during his criminal trial. Phillips fired his attorney on the first day of trial and chose to represent himself. After a jury was selected, he stopped appearing in court. The judge determined Phillips had intentionally absconded, waived his right to attend, and allowed the trial to continue in his absence. A jury convicted Phillips that day of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and harassment involving a boy who was 12 years old when the offenses occurred in August 2020. The court issued a no-bail warrant for Phillips.
Investigators determined Phillips had made preparations to leave Alaska before the trial. He sold his house earlier in June, sold his truck during the week before trial, purchased a satellite telephone with an international service plan, sold or disposed of other belongings and told people he intended to leave the state. Phillips traveled to Whittier, boarded a sailboat and left the harbor. His electronic monitoring device stopped transmitting early on 07/07/2026.
At approximately 8:07 p.m. on 07/09/2026, Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and members of the Alaska State Troopers Southcentral SWAT Team located Phillips aboard a boat anchored in the Whittier area. Law enforcement personnel approached the vessel and attempted to negotiate his surrender. Phillips was armed with a handgun and remained aboard the boat.
Troopers deployed less-lethal weapons and chemical agents during the operation. Phillips responded by putting on ballistic body armor and a gas mask. According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Phillips then directed his handgun toward the officers. Alaska State Trooper Sergeant Matthew Sidders and Wasilla Police Department Sergeant David Burtch fired at Phillips, striking him. Sidders was a 14-year Alaska State Troopers veteran, and Burtch was an 11-year Wasilla Police Department veteran serving with the multi-agency SWAT team.
Tactical personnel boarded and secured the vessel after the shooting. Phillips died aboard the boat. His body was transported to the Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation assumed responsibility for investigating the shooting, and the completed investigation will be reviewed by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://alaskapublic.org/news/public-safety/2026-07-10/troopers-fatally-shoot-wasilla-man-on-boat-near-whittier-after-conviction-for-child-sexual-abuse
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/07/10/man-shot-killed-by-swat-team-while-attempting-escape-whittier-harbor-hours-after-failing-appear-sex-abuse-trial/