| Police widow thanks community |
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| Written by APB Staff |
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In Pelham, Alabama recently, dozens of law enforcement officers, firefighters, elected officials and members of the public gathered to celebrate paying off the mortgage on the home of slain Pelham Police officer Philip Davis. During a ceremony at the Pelham Civic Complex, Davis' widow, Paula, Mayor Don Murphy and Police Chief Tommy Thomas all thanked the community for helping to pay off the mortgage.
In a heart-warming ceremony and with the help of Fire Chief Danny Ray, Davis lit the mortgage and burned it, while also saying a few words to thank the public for their generosity. "It's wonderful just to know that everyone is supporting us," Davis said. "It's just amazing." Davis said that her kids and herself are holding up o.k. after the loss of a husband and father but that she still thinks about Philip and all the other officers who risk their lives each and every day. "It's a day-to-day battle, but we're making it," Davis said as she fought back tears. "Although Philip was my husband, every night that I go to bed, I still think about everyone in the department. "I consider them part of my family, and every night I go to bed I say prayers for you and your families because I know if you were in my situation, you would do the same for me," she added. Chief Thomas also thanked everyone who helped put the effort together. April 11th would have marked Officer Davis' fifth anniversary with the Pelham Police Department. Thomas said he has been battling some feelings of bitterness, but that subsided as he saw how the community supported his fellow officers and Davis' family. "The bitterness went away," Thomas said. "I appreciate the whole community coming together." Thomas described Davis as a phenomenal officer and talked about how the department benefited greatly from his service. "Police officer Philip Davis was a unique individual," Thomas said. "Every time I say the name Philip Davis, a smile comes to my face. "You just had to know Philip, you just had to know him," he told reporters with the Shelby County Reporter. "Philip could have been anything he wanted to be, and I'm thankful he decided to become a police officer," Thomas said. "He left his mark on our police department." Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites          Comments (1)
  written by Five-0, June 24, 2010
This is one story that made me extremely proud of the community I serve and with the people I work. Both stepped up big time in this effort. We have not forgotten you Philip.
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