On May 17, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Mississippi Highway Patrol responded to a crash on Highway 49 in Covington County that ultimately led to a Magee fireman and first responder losing his life.
While MHP was working the first crash, Philip Alan of Magee, himself a first responder, stopped to see if anyone needed help. Later, he was walking back across the northbound lane to his own vehicle when he was hit by a vehicle driven by 81-year-old John E. Barnes of Prentiss, MS, who was traveling north on Highway 49. Allan received fatal injuries. This crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Philip Allan was described as “a beloved member of his community and the Magee Fire Department. He was selfless and always willing to serve others.”
Governor Tate Reeves signed Executive Order 1572 honoring Philip Allan for being a courageous public servant who was mortally wounded in the line of duty on May 17 at the age of 39.
According to EO 1572, Allan was a graduate of Jones County Junior College, where he obtained an associate of arts degree and then began his career as a first responder, a national registered EMT.
Allan later obtained his 1001 Based Firefighter training and several other certifications through the Mississippi State Fire Academy and served as a volunteer firefighter for the Magee Volunteer Fire Department and other departments for nearly 25 years. Allan also worked as a dispatcher for 25 years in various law enforcement departments in Simpson and neighboring counties.
Reeves said, “Every single day across Mississippi, our first responders and law enforcement officers like Philip Allan place their lives on the line in constant and repeated acts of selfless sacrifice for their community. They are a key reason that the rest of us are safely and freely able to live our lives.”
Reeves said, “The outpouring of love and support following the tragic death of this fallen hero reflects the deep appreciation and gratitude of all Mississippians for Allan and the first responder community.”
Funeral services for Allan were held on Saturday, May 20.
The following statement was shared by Magee Fire Department Assistant Chief Phillip Magee:
“To everyone that has said a special prayer, brought a meal by the station, text, called, or just stopped by. Thank you. A special thank you to Pelahatchie Fire Department, Lawrence County Fire Service, and Mendenhall Fire for covering our district allowing us to say farewell to our brother.
It will be tough in the coming days, weeks, months and even years. However, with support like we have seen in the last few days we will make it! Philip will truly be missed by everyone. He was a great man, an honorable son, loving husband and a proud father. He was a knowledgeable firefighter.
He often left me scratching my head on how things would work by his calculations, but I figured he was right and just went with it and it always seemed to work. Many people have said that he had a servant’s heart and that is one hundred percent the truth. Philip would often take the newest guy in the department and begin showing them “around the truck” needless to say they’d come back with eyes the size of dinner plates looking confused as ever with all the knowledge he had just given them in that 30-minute session.
Brother, we are going to miss you. Until we see you again, we love you. I know you’ll have the trucks running and in order when we pull up.”
