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Officer Down: Detective Michael Smith Phillips

Age: 37

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Detective Michael Phillips was shot and killed while conducting an undercover buy-bust narcotics operation. During the operation two suspects opened fire on him, killing him.

The two suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended a short distance away. Both men were charged with Detective Phillips'' murder.

Detective Phillips had served with the Virginia Beach Police Department for 6 years and had previously served with the Hampton Police Department for 3 years.

Undercover Va. detective killed in shootout

By John Warren and Shawn Day
The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Beach police officer killed late Thursday was identified today as Detective Michael Smith Phillips, police said.

Phillips, 37 and a member of the department''s Special Investigations Unit, died after being shot around 11:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Green Run Shopping Center, in front of a USA Discounters furniture store, spokesman Adam Bernstein said.

Phillips spent three years as a patrol officer for Hampton Police Division before coming to Virginia Beach in 2002. He is survived by a wife and two sons, ages 12 and 8.

Two men have been charged. Ted Vincent Carter, 23, and Marshall Demetrius Moyd, 26, both of the 900 block of S. Clubhouse Road, were arrested shortly after the shooting, police said.

They are charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and conspiracy to violate the Drug Conspiracy Act.

In separate three minute hearings in Virginia Beach General District Court today, Carter and Moyd declined appointment of a public defender. Each said he would obtain his own attorney. Both were ordered to appear in criminal court on Aug. 22 to inform the court who would be representing them.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 19.

The two remained in custody at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center without bond.

Court records show both men have been convicted of previous crimes. Carter was convicted two years ago in Virginia Beach of carrying a concealed weapon, while Moyd was convicted six years ago in Norfolk of firearm and drug possession charges.

Moyd had been released from the Virginia Beach jail just hours earlier Thursday after posting bond. He was arrested Tuesday on a charge of failing to appear in court on another charge, according to court and jail records.

About 100 yards from the shooting scene, near an exit to the shopping center, a large SUV, its headlights still burning, sat hours later with a flat front tire. Around the area, police had established a second crime scene.

Bernstein said the second crime scene is where the two suspects were arrested. No other suspects are being sought, he said.

For about two hours after the shooting, officers restricted traffic at the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and Holland Road. After 1 a.m., traffic signals returned to normal operation.

Bernstein said the last time a Virginia Beach officer was killed in the line of duty was five years ago.

Standing across from the Green Run Shopping Center, Bernstein and his fellow officers already had black slashes across their badges. It''s a gesture of respect, Bernstein said, and the slash will remain in place until after the officer''s funeral.

"The Police Department is one giant family," he said. "This is the worst part of the job."

Copyright 2008 The Virginia-Pilot

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