May 21, 2011 Officer Trevor Phillips was killed in an accident while escorting a funeral procession in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After an alarming number of fatalities involving police motorcades, not only did the Tuscaloosa Police Department put an end to Police escorts, but agencies across the Nation have as well.

Unfortunately, there is a petition circulating that wants to bring back procession escorts. While we honor and value everyone's life it's important to understand why this should not be another task added to the Police force. The following concerns have been addressed in recent years:

• Liability Concerns
Courts in TN and FL have found that police and funeral homes that provide escorts for funeral processions can be held liable for crashes that occur during processions.

• Mental Impact
During this time of mourning emotions are already running high for everyone involved. The loss of a loved one is one of life's most difficult moments already, and in the event that an accident were to occur, the added stress and emotional turmoil could easily prove to be unbearable.

• Staffing Concerns
Multiple funerals in a day can leave departments overwhelmed and shorthanded; leaving parts of our community more vulnerable in the event of a serious crimes.

• Safety Concerns
Between 2001 and 2010, 80 officers died in funerary-related motorcycle accidents. The following year, three police officers and two motorcycle funeral escorts were killed while on funeral procession detail. The loss of so many public servants have called into question the human toll and financial costs of elaborate funeral processions when public safety personnel die on the job.

In addition to the injuries suffered by motorcade officers, family members and attendees are also at risk. In 2012, it was reported by AAA that 2 people were killed and 23 were injured in funeral procession accidents nationwide. And in March of 2018, two separate accidents occurred during a single funeral procession in Indiana.

While Officers are selfless and go above and beyond the call of duty daily we cannot expect them to abandon their post for escorts. The argument could be made that if the general population isn't authorized an escort neither should Police, Firefighters, or Military. On the contrary, based on the "Resolution Supporting Discontinuing Police Escorts for Funerals (A11-0873)." The city Council has granted the authority to the Chief of Police to determine when escorts will be used for any public official, firefighter, police officer or member of the armed forces killed in the line of duty or anytime it is necessary for public health, safety and welfare.

Please help us honor Trevor Phillips and others that have lost their lives while escorting processions by signing this petition.