Rion David Phillips

Rion David Phillips � beloved son of David Rich Phillips and Tracy Anne Phillips. Rion was born on a beautiful Memorial Day morning of May 28, 1984. It was a morning fitting for bringing the angel that he is into the world. Rion died in a tragic motorcycle accident on April 7th, 2016 and leaves behind his parents; loving brother Dru Rich Phillips; Grandfather: Jay Brian Buzzo; Aunts: Karin Christensen, Shannon Burrington, and Paige Norris; Uncles: Michael (Kari) Phillips, Rocci Phillips, Kurt Buzzo, Troy (Carol) Buzzo; and many very special nieces, nephews, and cousins � all of whom he loved and enjoyed spending time with. Rion also leaves behind an extraordinary and diverse group of friends who were also his close family. Rion was a Dispatch Supervisor proudly serving with Valley Emergency Communication Center (VECC). Rion was always about others before himself. He made everyone feel important and loved. He taught everyone a great deal about love, empathy, and compassion. He truly understood what unconditional love was. Rion�s motto was �be kind to one another� and he lived by that. Rion�s love for serving others lead him to become a police officer. He served in this capacity with the South Jordan Police Department for many years, before returning to VECC. It was there that he developed a deep respect and admiration for all those in the line of service, to include police officers, firefighters, and military personnel. Rion wore his love for these brave men and women on his left arm displayed in a beautiful tattoo tribute he showed off with pride. Rion had a strong dedication to helping others and serving his community. He organized Sub 4 Santa events, and Rion was instrumental in organizing and leading many fallen officer benefits including Officer Derek Johnson. He worked tirelessly to make sure their families knew the community cared for and respected the officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Many times his family received calls from Rion in tears over the senseless tragedy of an officer being injured or killed in the line of duty. Rion was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan through and through, and on a touchdown his cheers could be heard through the community wherever he was, Let�s Go Steelers! Rion was the civilian representative from VECC for LGBT and was actively involved in the committee. He just wrote an article for the committee that is going to be published in Q magazine in Salt Lake about what to expect when you call 911. Friendship isn�t about who you�ve known the longest. It�s about who walked into your life, said �I�m here for you� and proved it. That�s Rion through and through. Rion's family wishes to thank Rion's countless extended family members, the police, VECC dispatch, and the community for their outpouring of love, the beautiful candlelight vigil, and all the offers of help and prayers. We are so proud of Rion and his service and dedication to this community. Your love and respect for Rion give us much comfort. We know that wherever Rion is, he will be watching out for and protecting all of us. We love you so much Rion, and you will always be our Lion. Well done! A celebration of Rion�s life will be held on Thursday, April 14th beginning at�12 Noon�to 4:00 pm at the West Valley Cultural Center. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Rion�s name to the Fallen Officer�s fund.