UPDATE: The death of unarmed 52-year-old Phillip Reeder has been officially ruled a homicide after a police officer knelt on his neck, according to a coroner’s report. This shocking conclusion has reignited public outrage and drawn comparisons to the infamous death of George Floyd in 2020.
The ruling, confirmed today by the Jefferson County medical examiner’s office, states that Reeder died last August from heart failure “associated with cocaine use and restraint during an altercation.” This incident occurred on August 6, 2024, in Irondale, Alabama, just after 5:00 a.m., when police were called to the scene following reports of a man behaving erratically on a local highway.
Reeder’s wife, Sandra Lee Reeder, who has been vocal about seeking justice, described the heart-wrenching body camera footage reviewed by her and her attorneys. “My husband is heard clearly saying, ‘I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe,'” she said at a press conference. The emotional plea echoes the tragic words of George Floyd, highlighting a disturbing pattern in police conduct.
In the early hours of that fateful morning, officers were dispatched to address a medical emergency involving Reeder, who was reportedly wandering in and out of traffic. Body camera footage, which has not yet been publicly released due to an ongoing investigation, allegedly shows Reeder running from the police before he was subdued. He was Tasered, handcuffed, and restrained on his stomach, during which an officer placed a knee on his neck for over three minutes.
Attorney Harry Daniels, representing the Reeder family, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “If I stand right here and count to 120 seconds — a lot can happen. That’s three minutes.” He criticized the use of deadly force in what he described as a case of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Nearly a year after Reeder’s death, his family is demanding accountability from the Irondale Police Department. The city has released a statement contesting the family’s narrative, asserting that officers acted within their rights during the encounter. They stated that Reeder was under the influence and posed a danger to himself and others, which justified the use of a Taser to detain him.
The coroner’s report also revealed multiple non-lethal wounds on Reeder’s body, raising further concerns over the police’s handling of the situation. Sandra Lee Reeder described seeing her husband bleeding from the face in the footage. He was ultimately pronounced dead at a local hospital just after 6:30 a.m.
The comparison to George Floyd’s death has intensified discussions about police tactics and accountability. Daniels remarked, “In 2024, the exact same thing happened,” underscoring the need for systemic reforms in law enforcement practices.
As the community reels from this incident, calls for justice and transparency grow louder. The Irondale Police Department’s refusal to release the body camera footage has further fueled public demand for answers. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has the authority to withhold such evidence if it may impact an ongoing investigation.
The tragic death of Phillip Reeder highlights an urgent need for accountability and reform in police practices, as families and advocates alike continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of law enforcement.
As this story develops, the Reeder family and community members are poised to pursue further action, making it clear that they will not rest until justice is served. The national conversation on police use of force remains at the forefront as similar cases continue to emerge across the United States.
