Officer Cprl. McPhillips has a Story to Tell

Photo: submitted photo

Cprl. McPhillips and K-9 Fire pose together outside a hotel.

Damon Fullington, Editor in Cheif
Sep 28, 2013

Conroe ISD has long since had its own police department, much like the rest of the state of Texas. Cpl. John McPhillips has been involved in law enforcement since 1969, after he served in the US Army.

In his 45 years of service, he has worked alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Bomb Squad, two Super Bowls, and was a part of a joint drug raid force between Harris and Montgomery County.

“I’ve been close but never been in any shootouts.” McPhillips said.

Along with a listfull of experience in law enforcement, Cprl. McPhillips had also endured training with the FBI and San Antonio Police Department in sniper training, with 40 hours completed with the SAPD, along with 900 hours of K-9 explosive school.

In Feb, 2003, McPhillips received K-9 unit Marley Von Allstar, who came form Austria accompanied with her own passport, and was trained in bomb and explosives detection. The process of officer selection for a K-9 can require more than one attempt to bond perfectly with a dog.

“They’ll work all of the dogs for you, to pick your dog,” McPhillips said.

In the 10 years they have been together, the duo has competed in the 2007 and 2008 K9 Olympics, and won 1stplace in vehicle and room inspection, Top Bomb Dog and scored a 299.5 out of 300 at the United States Police Certification region 20 in Garland, TX. In 2009.

After the passing of K-9 Marley, McPhillips was reassigned to K-9 Fire. Fire and McPhillips worked together at Super Bowl XLV Dallas, TX, Super Bowl XLVII New Orleans, LA, and the NBA ALL STAR Game in Houston, TX.

Not only have they worked together for major sporting events, they covered dignitary work for former president George H. Bush and 1stlady Barbara Bush, as well as President W. Bush also and 1stlady Laura Bush. He has also worked security for Chairmen Joint Chief of Staff General Richard Myers.

K-9 Fire passed away on July 10, 2013 due to a stomach flip.

The high security jobs that McPhillips has done with his two K-9 units are a lot to handle for any ordinary person. At the age of 68, he has no plans to retire from law enforcement even after having a stroke two years ago, Cprl. McPhillips couldn’t wait to return to serving his community.

. “I was very lucky, and I couldn’t wait to see my dog,” McPhillips said.