By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
After 34 years of protecting highways and helping save lives, Kansas Highway Patrol Captain Travis Phillips turned in his badge Thursday.
"I don't know any other career in the world that gives a person the power to make a difference in somebody's life, no matter how significant or insignificant that might be," Phillips said.
Phillips was born in Nebraska but raised in Ellis, where he graduated from Ellis High School in 1986. He later earned a criminal justice degree from Fort Hays State University in 1994.
Phillips said he was inspired by a trooper who visited his school regularly as a child and later by KHP Trooper Kennith McGlasson, whom he often saw during his high school years.
"I would see him at Ellis once in a while at fuel stops. When I saw his blue and gray patrol car parked at the convenience store, I'd always stop and fuel my pickup just for a chance to talk to him," Phillips said. "He always gave me the time of day, and it planted a seed with me."
He began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Hays Police Department before quickly making his way to the KHP in 1994. Phillips rose through the ranks of the KHP, serving as sergeant, master trooper, lieutenant and eventually captain six years ago.
"If you care and you show up, you're going to be successful in law enforcement," he said.
Throughout his career, Phillips faced several defining moments, including being pinned down by a gunman in Wallace County, stopping a wrong-way felon with a tactical vehicle maneuver and rescuing dozens of people during dust storms and blizzards.
Most recently, he was honored for his response to a major multi-vehicle crash on March 13 on Interstate 70 in Sherman County.
Phillips has saved lives in dangerous situations and supported former offenders he once had to remove from the streets.
"Sometimes you get a call from somebody that you arrested for DUI and they thank you for how you treated them, for helping them get sober," he said.
Phillips said one of the most significant challenges in his law enforcement career is maintaining morale in the face of national scrutiny. However, he recognizes the strong support he has received from the local community.
Phillips said support from organizations like the 10-33 Foundation, a nonprofit offering mental health crisis intervention for first responders and their families, helped sustain him throughout his career up to his decision to retire.
"We all carry a [hypothetical] backpack out here, and every once in a while, your backpack gets full, and that's why we have peer support and mental health services available to help unpack our backpack," he said.
Phillips hopes to remain in law enforcement in a smaller and community-focused role. He is the father of two daughters and grandfather to three.
Phillips said he is grateful to his wife, who often left meals in the microwave when Phillips could not make it home for dinner, and to the fellow troopers he served alongside throughout his career.
"I got a blood family and I got a blue family," he said. "I want to thank my blue family for doing the job. Make me proud."
Phillips advises new troopers joining the force to prioritize faith, family and their work in that order.