Hero Down: Spalding County Sheriff’s Deputy Phillip ‘Phil’ Hammond Succumbs To Cancer

Spalding County, GA – Spalding County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy Phillip “Phil” Hammond died on May 15 after a lengthy battle against cancer.

Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix announced the 59-year-old deputy’s death in a press release later that day.

“We are sad to announce the passing of Deputy Phil Hammond after a long hard-fought battle with cancer,” Sheriff Dix wrote.

“In one of the last conversations I had with Phil, he told me that he was going to win this battle,” the sheriff shared. “He said, ‘If the Lord decides to heal me it will be a part of my testimony and I’ll win this battle. If he chooses not to heal me and calls me home, I’ll still win the battle because I’ll see him face to face. Sheriff, either way it goes, I win.’”

Deputy Hammond, a U.S. Army veteran, held a master’s degree in theology from Grand Canyon University, according to his obituary.

He worked as a dispatcher, prison guard, Fayette County marshal, and as an investigator for the Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office prior to joining the SCSO in 2017.

The longtime lawman also taught D.A.R.E. to Upson County fifth-graders, WAGA reported.

Deputy Hammond leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Carol, as well as his children, Andrew, Summer, Sera, Austin, and Ashley, according to his obituary.

He is also survived by 14 grandchildren.

“Thank you all for your kind words for my daddy,” his daughter, Summer Hill, wrote in response to Sheriff Dix’s message. “He fought an amazing fight and he won. He is with Jesus without a doubt, he was an amazing man who never met a stranger and loved everyone.”

“Thank you, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Dix, and all the loving people at SCSO, thank you for all the love and compassion you all showed my daddy. I’m forever grateful the he was loved by so many and taken care of in so many ways by you all,” Hill added. “My daddy loved his career and did it well. Again, thank you all for the love and prayers as we get through this hard time.”

Deputy Hammond was laid to rest on May 20.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Phillip “Phil” Hammond, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.