The death of 52-year-old Phillip Reeder has been ruled a homicide by the Jefferson County medical examiner’s office, nearly a year after an Irondale police officer kneeled on his neck during an arrest.
The August 6, 2024, incident, which bears striking similarities to George Floyd’s death, has reignited debates about police use of force in Alabama.
The Fatal Encounter
According to the autopsy report reviewed by The Associated Press, Reeder died of heart failure “associated with cocaine use and restraint during an altercation.”
The construction company owner was driving home from a job in Memphis, Tennessee, when one of his colleagues called 911 to report a medical emergency just after 5 a.m.
Police reported that Reeder was wandering in and out of traffic on a local highway when they approached him.
What happened next would prove fatal, though the full details remain hidden from public view as body camera footage has not been released under Alabama’s 2023 law governing police recordings.
Family Reviews Disturbing Body Camera Footage
Sandra Lee Reeder and her attorneys were finally able to review the body camera footage last week, nearly 11 months after her husband’s death. What they saw painted a troubling picture of the encounter.
According to Sandra Lee Reeder, the footage shows her husband running from police when they arrived. Officers then shocked Reeder with a Taser, placed him in handcuffs, and laid him on his stomach. One officer placed his knee on Reeder’s neck for over three minutes.
“I can’t breathe,” Reeder can be heard saying three times, according to his widow.
The autopsy documented multiple non-lethal wounds and bruising from the attempted arrest. Sandra Lee Reeder said she could see her husband bleeding from his face in the video. When the officer finally rolled him onto his back, Reeder was unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 6:30 a.m.
Legal Parallels to George Floyd Case
Harry Daniels, representing the Reeder family, drew direct comparisons to George Floyd’s death during a news conference outside Irondale City Hall on Monday.
“This world was captivated and shocked about what happened in 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2024, the exact same thing happened,” Daniels stated.
Daniels noted that the primary difference between the cases was race – Reeder was white while Floyd was Black. He emphasized that even if Reeder committed misdemeanor disorderly conduct by wandering into traffic, “it is not warranted for a knee in the back — that is deadly force.”
The Fight for Transparency
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has not released the body camera footage publicly, citing the state’s 2023 law that allows agencies to withhold recordings if disclosure would affect an active investigation. This has left the family searching for answers and accountability for nearly a year.
Zachariah Phillip Reeder, one of Phillip’s sons, expressed the toll this has taken: “What I have gone through these past 11 months should not happen to any 19-year-old.”
Legal Implications for Police Accountability
This case raises critical questions about police use of force and accountability in Alabama:
- Excessive Force Standards: Under both Alabama law and federal civil rights statutes, police officers may only use force that is objectively reasonable under the circumstances. Kneeling on someone’s neck for over three minutes while they say they cannot breathe likely exceeds any reasonable use of force standard.
- The Homicide Ruling: The medical examiner’s determination that this was a homicide – meaning death at the hands of another – provides crucial evidence for both criminal charges and civil litigation. While the ruling notes cocaine use as a contributing factor, the restraint during altercation is clearly identified as a cause of death.
- Transparency Barriers: Alabama’s 2023 law regarding police recordings (HB41) creates significant obstacles for families seeking answers. While intended to protect ongoing investigations, these provisions can leave grieving families in limbo for extended periods.
The family may pursue several legal avenues, including criminal charges against the officer, federal civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and wrongful death litigation under Alabama state law.
The Human Cost
Beyond the legal implications, this case highlights the devastating impact on families when police encounters turn fatal. Reeder left behind a wife and children who have spent nearly a year seeking basic answers about his final moments.
The delay in accessing body camera footage compounds their grief and frustration.
The fact that Reeder may have been experiencing a medical emergency when police arrived adds another troubling dimension.
His colleague’s 911 call for medical assistance resulted in a law enforcement response that ended in death rather than help.
Moving Forward
As this case develops, several critical questions remain:
- Will criminal charges be filed against the officer who kneeled on Reeder’s neck?
- When will the body camera footage be released to the public?
- What training and policy changes might prevent similar incidents?
- How can Alabama balance investigative needs with family rights to information?
This incident serves as a stark reminder that excessive force concerns cross racial lines and that all communities have a stake in police accountability.
The similarities to George Floyd’s death demonstrate that despite nationwide protests and calls for reform, dangerous restraint techniques continue to be used with fatal consequences.
For families facing similar tragedies, understanding their legal rights and options is crucial. The complexity of police accountability cases, combined with laws that can delay access to evidence, makes experienced legal representation essential.
Let Justice Roll, With Baxley Maniscalco
If your family has lost a loved one due to police excessive force or you’ve been injured in a law enforcement encounter, you need attorneys who understand both the legal complexities and the human toll of these cases. The experienced civil rights and personal injury attorneys at Baxley Maniscalco have the knowledge and determination to fight for justice against powerful institutions.
Our team understands the unique challenges of police accountability cases in Alabama, from navigating immunity defenses to accessing crucial evidence like body camera footage.
We work tirelessly to hold law enforcement accountable while supporting families through their most difficult times. With decades of combined experience and a proven track record of taking on challenging cases, we fight to ensure that those entrusted with public safety are held responsible when they violate that trust.
Time is critical in these cases. Evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories fade, and legal deadlines approach quickly. The Reeder family’s nearly year-long wait for answers underscores the importance of having skilled legal advocates from the start.
Contact Baxley Maniscalco today for a confidential consultation.
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