IRONDALE, Ala. — The family of Phillip David Reeder, 52, is demanding justice and accountability following his death during a police encounter in August 2024—a death the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has ruled a homicide.
According to his wife, Sandra Lee Reeder, Phillip repeatedly cried out “I can’t breathe” as an Irondale police officer knelt on the back of his neck for nearly three minutes. The incident took place on Highway 78, where officers responded to reports of Reeder behaving erratically and running into traffic. Authorities believed he posed a danger to himself and others.
Police attempted to detain Reeder, deploying a Taser when he allegedly refused to comply. Despite the use of the Taser, officials say Reeder continued to struggle, leading officers to restrain him using what the city of Irondale described as “only their arms.” Shortly after being restrained, Reeder stopped breathing.
Emergency personnel performed first aid and transported Reeder to St. Vincent’s East, where he was later pronounced dead. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter.
An autopsy conducted by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Reeder died of hypertensive heart disease worsened by cocaine use and physical restraint during the altercation. While injuries from the struggle were noted—including abrasions and contusions—they were not deemed fatal on their own. The medical examiner cited that the physical stress, drug use, and underlying heart condition likely triggered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. The death was officially classified as a homicide, a term used for vital statistics and not necessarily indicating criminal intent.
Sandra Reeder, who says her husband was experiencing a mental health crisis related to job stress, disputes the official account. At a press conference outside Irondale City Hall, she stated that body camera footage from four officers shows her husband saying “I can’t breathe” three times while an officer pinned him by the neck, despite another officer reportedly suggesting he be turned over. She also challenged the city’s explanation that Reeder’s facial injuries resulted from falling after being tased, asserting that the footage does not support that claim.
Reeder’s death has drawn comparisons to the 2020 killing of George Floyd, although Reeder, unlike Floyd, was white. The family’s attorneys point out that, regardless of race, the use of potentially deadly restraint methods demands scrutiny and accountability.
In a statement released Monday, the City of Irondale pushed back against the family’s claims, asserting that no officer used a knee on Reeder’s neck and denying that excessive force was applied. The city also said that, after reviewing the autopsy findings, the district attorney determined there was no probable cause to pursue criminal charges.
At this time, it remains unclear whether the case has been presented to a grand jury. The family’s legal team continues to press for transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Irondale community—and Reeder’s grieving family—is left seeking answers. The case has become a focal point in broader conversations around law enforcement, mental health, and the use of force during arrests. Authorities are expected to release additional information as the investigation progresses.
Reeder is remembered by loved ones as a husband, family man, and someone going through a difficult time—not as a criminal. His family continues to call for an impartial review of the events that led to his death, emphasizing the urgent need for clear standards and compassion in how law enforcement responds to mental health emergencies.
