It has been an honor to be able to retell the story of beloved lawman, J.M. "Buddy" Phillips. As an enthusiast of local law enforcement lore, I have been aware of Phillips's story for years, and recently, it dawned on me that there is a new generation of Suwannee Countians who have moved here in the last decade and may not know who Phillips was or his significance to Florida law enforcement history.
To be able to start from being a jailer while still in high school to becoming sheriff of seven Florida counties and ultimately leading the Florida Sheriff's Association is a testament to Phillips’s dedication to public safety.
I could not have written this story without the help of several individuals and resources. I first have to applaud the efforts of the Florida Sheriffs Association for its preservation efforts of Florida's law enforcement history. Because of its members’ efforts, I had access to its publication, The Sheriff's Star Magazine. The opportunity allowed me to have access to articles and photos that Phillips contributed before and during his time as the association’s executive director.
It also could not have been done without articles in various newspapers, locally and throughout the state, which offered further information about the agencies that Phillips took over, allowing for the narrative to be furthered on each incident, stories that people who lived in Suwannee County did not know. However, not all incidents were related to misgivings by local sheriffs.
In one incident, Phillips took over after the death of Glades County Sheriff William "Billy" Arnold. It was a sad time in Glades County, and during this time, Phillips had to help heal the wound that was opened by Arnold's death. To help understand the situation more, I was able to speak with Glades County Sheriff David Hardin, as well as Arnold's children, Billiejo and Arlon. I thank all three for providing me with the perspective to effectively help fill the missing timeline of Phillips's time in Glades County.
I also wish to thank the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for providing information on Phillips's time at their respective agencies through biographical information that was made publicly available.
But most importantly, I want to thank the Phillips family, especially his brother, Joe, and nephew, Joseph, for contributing to the story. I also wish to thank Phillips's wife, Mary Jo, and son, Mike, for blessing this series and providing me with words of encouragement throughout this journey. It has been my pleasure to help memorialize Phillips's legacy in Florida.
Just as the Old West was defined by figures like Wyatt Earp and the roaring 20s echoed with the exploits of Elliot Ness, Florida's unique narrative is forever marked by Phillips’s legacy, who has been affectionately dubbed "The Sheriff of Florida." His commitment to justice and community safety has left a distinctive mark on the state, reminding us that every era has its heroes, and Phillips stands tall among them.
