The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department has announced the "End of Watch" for its missing fire chief.
Chief Michael Phillips has been missing since the early morning hours of July 5 when he was responding to a call for service during the deadly and devastating floods in Central Texas.
He was driving an emergency vehicle when he went missing. The vehicle has since been found, but he was not.
What they're saying:
It was a heartbreaking day for Marble Falls. The tight-knit community is mourning the loss of one of its own.
"Right now, the kind of word in the town is sorrow," said Rick Bindseil, friend of Phillips and community member.
"He was the type of guy that went into harm's way without thinking of the possible consequences that may occur because he had the training, he had knowledge, and he knew that there was a life to be saved," Bindseil added.
Chief Phillips served the department for nearly three decades. He was a mentor, leader, and friend to many.
"Michael was a type of individual that had a heart of gold," said Bindseil.
Ricky Bindseil served in law enforcement in Burnet County where he often worked alongside Chief Phillips on critical incidents.
"They knew that when he was there, everything was going to be okay, and that everybody would go home safely at the end of their task," said Bindseil.
In a post on Facebook, the Marble Falls Area VFD said:
Chief Phillips wasn’t just a public servant in uniform, he was also a familiar face in local schools. He spent 28 years with Marble Falls ISD overseeing the construction and renovation of buildings that students still benefit from today.
Amid the devastation, the Marble Falls community is finding strength in the memory of the man who dedicated his life to protecting others.
Dig deeper:
Tributes to Chief Phillips have been shared or planned.
MFISD shared a heartfelt post about Phillips to their social media. Phillips had worked for the district for nearly three decades as an HVAC specialist before becoming director of maintenance.
MFISD's full statement reads:
The Marble Falls Rodeo plans to honor Phillips at the beginning of the festivities on Friday, July 18th at 8 p.m. at the Charley Taylor arena.
First responders can attend for free; ticket prices for everyone else range from $15 to $20. Kids age six and under can also attend for free.
Everyone is also encouraged to wear red in his honor.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department and pre