CHULA VISTA, California — A memorial service was held Saturday to honor Chula Vista Police Department Assistant Chief Phil Collum. With pictures, videos and floral arrangements, people gathered to honor the life and legacy of the beloved man.
Collum died last week after he lost his battle with a rare form of cancer.
“Phil will always be remembered for his service to the Chula Vista Police Department, his community and his family,” Chula Vista Police Department Roxana Kennedy said.
Collum was born in Alexandria, Virginia, but mostly grew up in San Diego. He started working in law enforcement during college in Santa Cruz, first as a Community Service Officer and later as a police officer with the Santa Cruz Police Department. He returned to the San Diego region in 1994, when he joined the Chula Vista Police Department.
Collum went on to become the first African-American to serve in the department as a police lieutenant, police captain and assistant chief of police.
For close to three decades, Collum was part of the Chula Vista Police Department. During his time in service, he became a trailblazer and paved the way through his dedication.
“He became the department's first black lieutenant in 2009, police captain in 2018 and Assistant Chief of Police in 2022,” Kennedy said.
People that had the honor to know Phil describe him as kind and compassionate, someone that treated others with dignity and respect.
“Phil was a man with a sense of humor and a deep abiding faith in God,” Kennedy said.
Collum won several awards throughout his career that spanned many roles at the department. He was named one of the 2023 Persons of the Year by LGBTQ San Diego County News, won the 2015 Department Exceptional Service Award, received the 2015 Department Exceptional Service Award and more.
One after another, people close to Collum took to the podium to share with others the type of person he was through the several roles he played in the police department and in his personal life.
Collum made an impact in the lives of many, even people that didn't know him personally.
“They all feel the same, they feel like they lost a brother,” memorial service attendee William Sherman said.
Collum leaves behind the impact he made in the lives of many people.
“Phil, you've left your footprints for others to follow,” Kennedy said.
Instead of flowers, Collum's family asks that people donate to the 'Phillip Collum Scholarship fund.' Its a fund that will help by providing education to children in need.
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