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Phillip Reeder

Gender : Male

Age : 52

Race : White

Date : 08/04/2024

Location : Highway 78 near Old Leeds Road

City : Irondale

County : Jefferson

State : Alabama

Agency : Irondale Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Asphyxiation

Event : Killed by police during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On August 4, 2024, Irondale police responded to reports of a man running into traffic on Highway 78. Officers tasered and restrained Phillip Reeder. During the restraint, officers held him face down on the pavement. According to attorneys for the family, body-camera footage shows an officer kneeling on Reeder’s neck for over three minutes while he said “I can’t breathe” at least three times. Reeder died at the scene. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide, citing hypertensive heart disease, cocaine use, and physical stress during the incident. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated and the Jefferson County District Attorney declined to press charges. The officers involved have not been named.

Reeder’s family has demanded the release of full body-camera footage and the names of the officers involved. They allege excessive force and say Reeder was suffering a mental health crisis when killed. Attorneys for the family said the video contradicts the police narrative and shows a prolonged neck restraint. They are pursuing legal action and are calling for public accountability and transparency.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://apnews.com/article/ef4aabd9a7117075c74c7d25226429ec
https://apnews.com/article/44b0c42f2e7a898f534c1ac628a2bb79
https://www.wwnytv.com/2025/07/22/family-claims-man-died-after-officer-kneeled-his-neck-compares-incident-george-floyds-death
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/23/alabama-police-death-phillip-reeder