PC Dave Phillips: Officer 'stolen from family' after Wallasey road death
- Published
PC Phillip's sister Hannah Whieldon: "He was stolen from us but by god what was stolen from him"
PC Dave Phillips who was struck by a car and killed during a pursuit was "stolen from us and two girls are left without a daddy", his family has said.
The 34-year-old died after being hit by a pick-up vehicle that mounted a central reservation in Wallasey in in Merseyside on Monday.
His widow, Jen, and their daughters, Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three, laid flowers at the side of the road.
Two men aged 18 and 30 are being held on suspicion of murder.
Three women aged 19, 34, and 59, and a 39-year-old man, all from Wallasey, have also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
PC Dave Phillips, a married father-of-two, died from internal injuries
PC Dave Phillips family including his widow Jen Phillips attended a press conference held by Merseyside Police
The family including sisters, Hannah Whieldon and Kate Phillips, paid tribute to the officer at a press conference organised by Merseyside Police.
Mrs Whieldon, 31, said: "He was stolen from us but, by God, what was stolen from him?
"Two girls have been left without a daddy."
PC Phillips' children and other family members made a video tribute to him
"My daddy was a lovely and kind and caring dad," said daughter Abigail about her father PC Dave Phillips
Just hours before his final fatal shift, he was with his wife filming their girls "beaming" with smiles, singing and dancing, she said.
"But beyond all our combined grief - which, believe me, makes it hard to breathe - is that of his beautiful wife, Jen.
"She's only 28. It's her birthday next month. She won't be a pampered wife, getting breakfast in bed - she will be a grieving widow," Mrs Whieldon said.
"The best dad ever", said Sophie (pictured) and her sister Abigail about their father PC Dave Phillips
A video was released of PC Phillips' daughters paying tribute, where they described him as "the best dad ever".
Abigail read out tributes alongside Sophie, her father's nephew Thomas, aged seven, and his four-year-old niece Annabel.
"My daddy was a lovely and kind and caring dad," Abigail said.
"My daddy is kind and caring because he gives the best kisses and cuddles. He is my hero. I love you daddy."
A poem given to Jen Phillips by her husband PC Dave Phillips was read out at the press conference
Abigail and Sophie's mother was unable to speak at the press conference, but Mrs Whieldon read out a poem her brother wrote and gave to his wife for their fourth wedding anniversary.
It said: "Thank you for blessing me with four wonderful years...you're always the one on whom I can depend, more than my lover, my best friend."
It ended with the line: "You are my heart, my soul, my eternity."
Kate Phillips said: "He was my hero, he was our world, and our world has become a little bit darker."
Best friend Dave George said PC Phillips became a Special Constable in 2006 before joining the Merseyside force.
Everton fan PC Phillips was described as a family man with a passion for football, snooker and golf.
Mr George said: "Dave always harboured the wish that one day soon he would be able to take his daughter Abigail to see her first Everton game. Tragically this isn't to be."
PC Phillips' daughters left written messages
Earlier, Mrs Phillips left a written message at the scene of her husband's death.
It read: "Dave, my poo Bear! I can't believe you've been taken away from me, you are my everything and have no idea how I am going to carry on with you not by my side.
"I love you with every inch of my heart and will miss you so so much, Your Mrs XXXXX."
The family brought flowers to the scene
PC Phillips' widow Jen added flowers to the large collection of tributes left at the side of the road where her husband was killed
PC Phillips had been trying to stop a red Mitsubishi Challenger, which was driven from an estate agents in Birkenhead.
The married father-of-two had been responding to reports of a burglary in Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead.
He and a colleague had been attempting to stop the vehicle using a tyre-puncturing "stinger" device at 02:10 BST.
Fellow officers tried to save his life before he was rushed to hospital, but he died shortly after arrival.
The pick-up vehicle was found abandoned in Corbyn Street, Wallasey at 02:55.
Detectives released a still image of the Mitsubishi pick-up truck