Hundreds attend funeral service Thursday for fallen Osage Beach police officer
Watch a replay of the funeral service.
Watch a replay of the visitation.
LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ)
Hundreds of law enforcement officers and community members showed up to Lake Ozark today to pay their respects to fallen Osage Beach Police Officer Phylicia Carson.
Officer Carson died during a chase on Saturday. She was in a pursuit in Camden County when her patrol car began to skid, veered off the road, hit a tree and caught fire, according to a crash report.
Family and friends who spoke at the funeral Thursday said Officer Carson stood strong in her faith and represented God in everything she did. They described her as strong, honest and unapologetically herself.
"She dedicated herself to keeping her community safe with a commitment that was unwavering," said family friend and Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Dylan Green. "She wasn't just an officer, she was a protector, a defender and a true servant to those she loved."
A public visitation service took place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark. A funeral service followed at 1 p.m.
Officer Carson's husband and Miller County deputy, Grant Carson, said his wife the greatest police officer he has ever known.
"She took her oath to serve and protect to heart and she did it every single day, every single shift," Grant Carson said. "She loved what she did and she did it with a smile on her face and greatness in her heart. If we all strive to be a little bit more like my wife, we will change the world."
Grant Carson said these last few days have been the worst of his family's life, because not only was Officer Carson a police officer, but a mother. She leaves behind six children, with her daughter Teighan Carson saying her mother was her best friend.
"She was amazing," said Teighan Carson. "She loved us more than we could ever love her. She loved us more than we could ever even imagine."
A procession followed the funeral as Officer Carson was escorted to her final resting place.
Around 250 law enforcement vehicles drove the route before Officer Carson's body was driven by in a white hearse.
Community members gathered along the route to pay their respects, some waving American flags to show their support. Lake Ozark resident Jon Wiebe said while he didn't know Officer Carson personally, he still felt it was important to honor her today.
"Unfortunately, in public safety, we don't give them the credit that they're due," Wiebe said. "So, I want to take this opportunity to come out and pay my respects to her."
Gov. Mike Parson ordered flags to be at half-staff in Camden and Miller counties and at all Missouri police stations Thursday in honor of Carson, according to a press release.
The release said Carson graduated from the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Training Institute and was commissioned as an Osage Beach police officer in 2023. She served in Camden and Miller counties.
The suspect in the pursuit, Christopher Wehmeyer, 23, of Camdenton, was charged Saturday with aggravated fleeing from a traffic stop resulting in death. He has a bond hearing Friday at the Camden County Courthouse.
