Deputy Phillips awakes from coma

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Oxford Eagle, November 15, 1997
Deputy Phillips awakes from coma Law officer to fully recover, doctors say
Chase McFadden STAFF WRITER
Doctors at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford announced today that Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's Deputy Morgan Phillips has awakened from his coma.
"This is really one of the most amazing recoveries we've ever seen," said Christian Dresch, M.D., Phillips' physician. "You could almost say it's a miracle. We don't know why he woke up, but we're glad he did."
Phillips woke on Friday evening and spoke briefly with members of his family and doctors. Dresch reported that Phillips' first words were "Have they caught them?", apparently referring to suspected murderer Edward Pierce and Proud Larry's Attacker Anthony Phelps.
Phillips was injured on Sept. 20, when a sheriff's department transport van that was moving Pierce and Phelps to a more secure location crashed into a guardrail and flipped over several times before catching on fire.
Deputy Kennon Schiff, the driver of the van, was killed in the crash, and Philips was severely injured. The two suspects fled on foot from the scene, taking with them Phillips' gun and ammunition and his uniform shirt. Phelps was found dead in a motel room in Amite, La., Sept. 29, and Pierce was killed in a shoot-out in Las Vegas Oct. 17.
When he was informed that both suspects had died, Phillips expressed his satisfaction, Dresch said.
Dresch said Phillips should fully recover and be on his feet by the end of this month in order to answer questions concerning the accident. It is still undetermined what part Phelps or Pierce played in the crash.
Phillips is a seven-year veteran of the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's Department, during which time he has served as interim sheriff on three different occasions. Former Sheriff Charles "Chuck" Lamar described Phillips as a "model deputy" who served his community in numerous ways, as a member of the boards of various local charities and also as a volunteer fireman with the Oxford Fire Department.
"We're overjoyed," said sheriff Taylor Sheldon. "His victory against death has been a victory for all of us."
Anna Gail Phillips, the deputy's wife, shed tears of elation when this reporter spoke with her at the hospital.
"I just thank God for this, I can't tell you. It's been so long, sometimes I would almost give up hope, but somehow I always managed to have faith that this day would come," Phillips said. "It has, and I'm just so thankful."