Former Johnson City Police Chief and Washington County Sheriff Fred Phillips has died. The 72 year old Phillips served local and state governments for over 40 years. He began his law enforcement career in 1964 and worked his way through the ranks to become Johnson City's Director of Public Safety. After his retirement from the police department, Phillips was elected Sheriff of Washington County, Tennessee in 1994. He was appointed State Safety Commissioner by former governor Phil Bredesen in 2002. Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. (jb)