Age: 22

Jeff Phegley graduated from Colerain High School in 1983.  While attending the high school, he was active in the American Red Cross and a volunteer at Providence Hospital.  He was also active in the Cadet program for future policeman.  After graduation, Jeff Phegley secured a job with the Republican National Committee, including working on and attending the second Reagan Bush Inaugural Ball.  He also worked as an intern for Congressman Michael Oxley.  But, he first desire was law enforcement and after graduating from a police academy, he joined the Village of Morrow’s police department.  Police Officer Phegley was patrolling the village on January 21, 1987, when he noticed a vehicle speeding through it.
Anthony Wayne McIntosh had far few accomplishments and ambitions in his 22 years of life.  By mid-January 1987 his life had sunk to such an evil level that he purchased a sawed-off shotgun and boasted to acquaintances that, “the next time a cop stops me, I’m going to make it worth his while.”  On January 21, 1987, he was speeding and driving drunk through the Village of Morrow.
Officer Phegley stopped McIntosh just outside of Morrow.  He smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage and advised McIntosh that he was under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.  McIntosh pushed Officer Phegley to the ground, somehow retrieved the shotgun, pointed it at Officer Phegley’s chest, and pulled the trigger.  Officer Phegley died there on the side of the road. 
Police responded and found Officer Phegley’s citation book where he had already written McIntosh’s name and some identifying information.  Officers from several agencies searched the area in and around Morrow and, several hours later, they found McIntosh hiding in a car being driven by his mother.  They arrested him without further incident. 
Officer Phegley is the only Morrow police officer to have been killed in the line of duty.  He was survived by his parents, Joseph and Barbara, and a brother.  He was buried in the Garden of Faith, Lot 120D, Space 4 of Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Belleville, Illinois.
A jury convicted McIntosh of Murder.  On August 17, 1987, he was sentenced to fifteen years to life with and additional three years for using a firearm during the commission of a felony.  McIntosh appeared before the Parole Board and was turned down for parole in 2000, 2006, and 2010.  During his 2000 hearing, McIntosh stated that he did not expect to get out because he killed a cop, but that he figured he would get out in five years.  Ten years later, he asserted that, “Barb and Joe Phegley need to move on with their lives and put the killing of their son behind them.”  He has another hearing scheduled for 2019 and is currently incarcerated at the Madison Correctional Institute.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.