Community members gather to remember Phillip Campas at Portrait of a Warrior Gallery
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A tight-knit community came together to wish Phillip Jesse Campas a happy birthday. The Deputy Sheriff and Marine Corps Veteran would have turned 38 years old.
“Happy birthday son, we miss you so much, and a day does not go by that we don’t think of you,” said Christine Campas, Campas’ mother. “Happy birthday in Heaven.”
On the third birthday following his passing, his image was added to the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery, with dozens showing he is not forgotten.
“Phillip was the best in everything he ever did,” said Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood. “He came to us out of the military as a student, not as an employee, and of course, he came out #1 in the academy. This was a guy that resonated throughout the State of California. Fifty-seven other sheriffs felt the impact of his loss, that doesn’t happen with every in-line-of-duty death — it did with Phillip.”
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Almost three years after being killed while serving in a S.W.A.T. operation rescuing victims of a shooting, Campas’ legacy continues. The Phillip Jesse Campas Legacy Project is hosting the second annual Salty’s BBQ Fundraiser. Proceeds help the Phillip Campas Award Scholarships.
“We were able to deposit like $9,000 to go towards these kids in the community and we will continue as long as we’re still here,” said Christine Campas. “We will continue to give back to this community, and this fundraiser sold out in like two to three days, and Salters said, ‘Throw another 100 out there,’ and that sold in another day.”
That support was more than clear at Salty’s BBQ, where dozens lined up to pick up their order. Family, friends, and colleagues of Phillip were present delivering the food.
You can still support the Legacy Project through their Facebook page by clicking here.
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