AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department announced a memorial service Tuesday for Chief Michael Phillips, who went missing July 5 during severe flash flooding in Burnet County.
The public memorial service for Phillips will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Marble Falls High School Auditorium, according to the VFD. It will also be livestreamed on YouTube.
The VFD announced Phillips’ end of watch in a July 15 Facebook.
“He was more than just a friend, mentor, and leader — he was our family. His absence will leave a void in our hearts and our department that cannot be filled,” the VFD wrote. “We will honor his legacy and the extraordinary service he gave to our community by continuing to be the first responders he strived for us to be.”
On July 24, Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson asked Gov. Greg Abbott to allow the county to lower its flags to half-staff.
“To date, he remains missing and the search is ongoing, but his Department announced his End of Watch on July 15, and his family has scheduled his memorial,” Wilson wrote in his request.
Abbott approved the request the next day. The Texas state flag on Burnet County properties will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday.
“The First Lady and I extend our prayers to the Phillips family during their time of grief and urge all Texans to remember and honor his service as a dedicated volunteer who gave his life for his community,” wrote Abbott in response to Wilson.