Search ends for missing Marble Falls VFD chief lost in July floods

The search to recover one of the last people still missing from the July Fourth weekend floods is over.  On Wednesday afternoon, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies are no longer actively looking for Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips.

Chief Phillips disappeared on July 5 while responding to flood rescues.  Phillips was last seen driving an emergency vehicle during a rescue operation near Cow Creek.  The vehicle was later located about 2 miles away, but Phillips was not found with it.

On July 7, Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said search teams had been combing the area where Phillips went missing.  Two days later, Burnet County officials confirmed Phillips was the county’s only remaining missing person and crews had moved all of their resources to the area where he was last seen.

A vigil was held to honor Phillips on July 11, and the fire department announced the end of watch for Phillips on July 15.  According to his Facebook profile, Phillips had volunteered as fire chief since 1995.