Phillips Receives Highest Honor From District Attorneys

Nashville, TN (2004-11-04) District Attorney General William Paul Phillips, of Huntsville, was honored for his “outstanding and meritorious public service” by the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference during the group’s annual meeting. Phillips received the McCutchen Award, which is the highest recognition given a prosecutor in Tennessee.

In opening the annual meeting of over 600 prosecutors, criminal investigators and victim witness advocates, each of Tennessee’s 31 elected District Attorneys joined Conference President Greenley Wells, Blountville, to pay tribute to Gen. Phillips.

“In gratitude for your service and the example you have set, this award is presented to William Paul Phillips who has consistently shown his compassion and concern for the victims of crime, his determination to seek and do justice, and his considerable skill and talent as an attorney. I am pleased to present our highest award to a good man and a good friend.” said Wells.

In accepting the award, Phillips said, “I appreciate this more than I can express. I am at a loss for words. I thank each of you for what you do for the citizens of Tennessee each day as you seek justice.”

The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference is responsible for budgeting, accounting, payroll, property management and training for all District Attorney’s offices throughout the state. In addition to coordinating criminal prosecution in the state the Conference acts as liaison between various agencies of state government and has a responsibility, under state law, to advise the General Assembly on ways to improve the criminal justice system.

Phillips became District Attorney for the Eighth Judicial District in 1979 and was re-elected in 1982, 1990 and 1998. He is one of the longest serving elected District Attorneys in Tennessee. The Eighth Judicial District includes Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott and Union Counties. Gen. Phillips served as President of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference from 1986 through 1987.