A married mother of six who worked as a police officer in the Ozarks was killed early Saturday morning during a high-speed chase on Missouri highways.
Phylicia Carson, 33, was on patrol just before 1:20 a.m. when she saw a vehicle traveling on U.S. 54 near Passover Road, Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis said.
She then turned on her lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the unknown driver sped away. Fox 2 Now reports.
As Carson attempted to pursue the suspect, her patrol car began to skid and she drove off the road, hitting a tree.
Her patrol car caught fire and Carson, who had just joined the force 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
Minutes later, the suspect crashed his own vehicle on State Highway A and was arrested.
He now faces a felony charge of fleeing a traffic stop under the state’s new Valentine’s Law, Camden County District Attorney Richelle Grosvenor said.
“Rest assured, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office will investigate the facts,” she told Ozarks First.
“We are going to apply appropriate rates and we are going to do this with the resources we have.”
Carson had just joined the force last year. Her death marks the first loss to the force in 30 years.
Meanwhile, Osage police and community members gathered last weekend to remember the fallen officer.
Police department officials noted that her favorite color was pink. To honor Carson, people stopped by the police department Saturday to leave pink flowers on a police cruiser.
Her death marked the police department’s first loss in 30 years. according to KY3.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson expressed his condolences after the disaster, saying he and his wife “keep her family and the community of Osage Beach in our prayers.”
“Agent Carson will not be forgotten,” he said wrote on X.
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe also said he and his wife “extend our sincere condolences to Officer Carson’s husband, their six children and colleagues.
“We must not forget the people in law enforcement who courageously 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 ‘absolutely lived for’ her six children
Others remembered Carson as a caring mother and wife to her husband Grant.
‘Phylicia Carson has always been one of those women who inspires you for the person she was… God-loving, mama bear, funny, outspoken [and a] “A ball of joy,” Cira Clement Monnig wrote on Facebook.
My heart breaks for her, Grant Carson and their children, for whom she lived so hard.
“Please help this family get back on their feet and ask God to wrap them in peace.”
Summer Trowbridge also shared that she first met Carson a few months ago and the two quickly became friends.
“Every day she would send me Snapchat videos talking about her shift or her days off, and telling me how proud she was of her children and husband’s accomplishments,” Trowbridge wrote.
“She always lit up the room with her laugh or jokes,” she continued. “If you were upset, she was very [good] to make you feel better.
Community members gathered at the police station last weekend to place pink flowers on a patrol car in memory of Carson
“I’m glad I got to know her for so long,” Trowbridge concluded.
“We will miss her, love her and never forget her.”
Meanwhile, Nadine Kelsay wrote: ‘When I first heard that Phylicia was training to be a police officer, I thought this would be the perfect job for her! She has always been the type of person who loves people deeply and will go to great lengths to protect the ones she loves.
‘Although I wouldn’t say I was close to her, as a new mother (well, I was, she was already with her fourth child at the time) I shared some wonderful memories with her!
“I always enjoyed her intensity and rawness. I always felt like she was someone I could trust to tell the truth, even if it went against someone’s grain.
“Phylicia Carson, I never told you this, but thank you for your efforts,” Kelsay concluded.
‘As a woman and mother of six, I felt it was truly selfless to protect an entire community as well!
“I am grateful that you, Grant Carson, and everyone at the Osage Beach Police Department chose to protect my family and our community.
‘Your sacrifice was not in vain and will be remembered for many, many years to come.’
