A manhunt is continuing for the driver of a stolen pick-up truck which struck and killed a police officer as he attempted to stop the vehicle.
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Pc Phillips was standing on a central reservation when the Mitsubishi mounted the kerb and hit him at speed before driving off.
Colleagues of the officer tried to save his life before he was rushed to hospital, but he died shortly after arrival.
It was stolen during a burglary of electrical equipment from Oxton Estate Agent’s on Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead and was found abandoned on Corbyn Street, Wallasey following the collision.
A fundraising page set up to support the family of murdered PC Dave Phillips has already exceeded its target – less than 24 hours after it was set up.
Sir Jon Murphy, chief constable of Merseyside Police said the father of two, “did not stand a chance” as he was hit by the truck, stolen in a burglary and later found abandoned after the incident in Wallasey, Merseyside.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that the police officer killed in the early hours of this morning was PC David Phillips.
The popular officer had served in Wirral for Merseyside Police for nearly a decade.
The force has launched a murder investigation, with detectives examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offenders.
“They come to work, day in day out, knowing the risks they all face”.
Officers from across the country have offered their condolences following the death, which comes barely a week after National Police Memorial Day, an annual service to honour officers who have died in the line of duty.
“Sadly, David did not and his daughters will have to grow up without their father”.
Pc Phillips was married and he and his wife, Jen, had two girls, Abigail, aged seven, and three-year-old Sophie.
Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said it was “a sad day when you lose one of your own”.
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Anyone who has any information which could help the police with their inquiries is asked to contact 0151 777 2263, or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
