Two-time NRA Precision Pistol Champion and holder of 10 National Police Pistol Championship titles, Philip Hemphill, has passed away.
Hemphill, who retired from the Mississippi Highway Patrol as a captain in 2011 after a 30-year career, was a longtime fixture as a firearms instructor at the state's largest police academy, MLEOTA in Pearl. During that time, he proved legendary at Police Pistol events, winning several consecutive national championships, typically competing against other instructors from around the country. Hemphill notably was the first to win both the NPSC and the police title at NRA's National Matches at Camp Perry in conventional pistol. He was named the NRA's Officer of the Year in 2007, among other honors.
After he hung up his badge, Hemphill continued working as an instructor for another decade while competing for Team Zero/ Lapua, Rock River, and AimPoint.
Hemphill passed on Oct. 12, 2023, at his home in Meridian.
"Phil was a mountain of a man who always had time to help other shooters and legend that will not be forgotten," noted Lapua on Hemphill's passing. "We are all better for having known Philip Hemphill. The Lapua family offers our sincere condolences to Phil’s family and friends."
While with Lapua, Hemphill was a USA Bullseye shooter alongside Brian Zins, who this week called his late teammate, "One of the nicest and staunchest competitors I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and competing with. Never against."
At age 70, Hemphill ran a Dicken Drill against a Bullseye Target with an M&P Shield subcompact at 40 yards from concealment, 10 shots in under 15 seconds and pulled it off in just over 12. Of course, he also has a video nailing a balloon at 100 yards with a Ruger LCP taken about the same time.
Hemphill long ago donated the Robert Jones custom S&W Model 66-3 that he used to win five consecutive NPSC titles – and score a perfect 1500 at the Magnolia Classic in Sept. 2001 – to the NRA's National Firearms Museum.
Firearms historians Jim Supica and Kayne Robinson talk about Hemphill's target gun in the below video.
The Hemphill family suggests memorials be made as donations to the Outreaches of Cross Mountain Ministries, at 6215 Porterville Townsend Rd, Porterville, MS 39352.
