Police investigation confirms the death of the man under police custody was caused by homicidal means.
## Investigation into the Death of Phillip Reeder: A Homicide Ruling
The death of Phillip Reeder, a 53-year-old man from Alabama, has been ruled a homicide by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office for "vital statistical purposes"[1]. The autopsy found that the cause of death was "hypertensive heart disease associated with cocaine use and restraint during altercation," with the combination of these factors cited as the best explanation for his death[1].
The circumstances surrounding Reeder's death have sparked controversy and allegations of excessive force. Reeder's family and their attorney have drawn parallels to the death of George Floyd, alleging that excessive force—specifically, a police officer kneeling on Reeder's neck—contributed to his death[1]. However, the City of Irondale has denied that any officer placed a knee on Reeder's neck, stating instead that Reeder was tasered and restrained after posing a danger to himself and others, and that officers did not use excessive force[1].
On August 4, 2024, Reeder was detained by the Irondale Police Department on Highway 78 during a call regarding a mentally disturbed person[1]. According to reports, Reeder was running in the road, and officers attempted to deescalate the situation before using a controlled electrical weapon and physically restraining him[1]. Reeder became unresponsive after being physically restrained, and Irondale Fire and Rescue responded to the scene[1].
The family claims that one officer put his knee on Reeder's neck, and Reeder repeatedly said he couldn't breathe[1]. Reeder's attorney, Harry Daniels, compared Reeder's death to George Floyd's, citing the prolonged pressure on Reeder's neck[1]. Daniels stated that Reeder begged for his life and that a knee was on the back of his head for three minutes[1]. When turned over, Reeder had no pulse, according to Daniels[1].
Despite these allegations, the Jefferson County District Attorney reviewed the case and found no probable cause for criminal charges against the officers involved[1]. The case was not presented to a grand jury, and the DA's office informed Reeder's family of this decision[1]. Reeder's family continues to demand justice and is considering legal action[1].
| Aspect | Coroner's Finding | Police/City Stance | Legal Outcome | |-------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Manner of Death | Homicide (statistical) | Not disclosed | N/A | | Cause of Death | Hypertensive heart disease, cocaine, restraint | Danger to self/others, tased, restrained | N/A | | Alleged Excessive Force | Family claims knee on neck | Denies knee on neck, no excessive force | No charges filed | | Legal Action | N/A | N/A | No charges, potential civil suit|
This investigation is ongoing, and further details may become available as the case progresses. The death of Phillip Reeder has brought attention to the use of force by law enforcement and the need for transparency in such incidents.
- The ongoing investigation into the death of Phillip Reeder, a 53-year-old man from Alabama, also involves assessing the role of general-news topics such as mental-health and health-and-wellness, considering the autopsy report mentioned hypertensive heart disease and cocaine use in his death.
- Evidence from the autopsy and the legal outcome of the case, in which no charges were filed against the officers involved, coincide with the scientific field, as hypertensive heart disease associated with cocaine use and restraint during an altercation was deemed the cause of death.
- As a result of the alleged excessive force and the controversial circumstances surrounding Reeder's death, health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice topics intersect, generating a need for discussion about the use of force by law enforcement, the importance of transparency in such incidents, and the broader implications for mental health within the context of interactions between police officers and individuals.
