Thousands Come Out To Honor Portsmouth Officer Phillip 'Phip' Miles

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Thousands of people paid tribute Monday to Portsmouth Police Officer Phillip “Phip” Miles, who passed away on Feb. 16.

A small group of law enforcement motorcycle officers led a procession left the J Verne Wood funeral home in Portsmouth, winding through streets to Greenland, where hundreds of law enforcement officers joined. The procession spanned more than a mile and passed by several people along the route holding signs to honor “Phip” as it traveled to the Bethany Church in Greenland.

After the services, the procession drove through Greenland and traveled north on Route 1, passing Seacoast Harley Davidson, where he worked with New England Police Vehicle Leasing for over 25 years. A Portsmouth police motorcycle depicting the one he rode was displayed on a truck in the procession.

Many of the motorcycle officers were personally trained by Miles and became close friends over the years of his service to area police departments. Officers across New England joined the procession to honor him as he took his last journey.

At Central Cemetery in Rye, more than a thousand people attended graveside services where the Portsmouth Police Honor Guard fired their rifles in a salute to him.

Philip George Miles, known to many as Phip or “P,” a resident of Greenland, passed away on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at the age of 75. He was born on July 13, 1948, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the late Shirley and Martha (Trefethen) Miles.

Phil graduated from Portsmouth High School, class of 1966, and served his country with honor in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War.

After his military service, Phil embarked on a dedicated professional career, starting with roofing and construction before joining the Portsmouth Police Department in 1978. He was a true street cop and supervisor.

As an FTO, he taught surrogate kids in blue to police the right way with life lessons and laughter, teaching kindness and goodness. He always had their back, molding them into the officers they are today. He served the community with distinction until his retirement in 1998, and even then, he remained connected to law enforcement by continuing part-time with the Portsmouth Police Department Auxiliary until 2020. His commitment to service extended beyond his retirement, in 2019, he took on a part-time role with the Lee NH Police Department.

In 1998 Phil joined Seacoast Harley-Davidson to run New England Police Vehicle Leasing (NEPVL). He managed the leasing of police motorcycles to departments in the northeast.

As a certified police motorcycle instructor, he trained and certified over 1000 police officers to ride. He was all in with HD police motorcycles, even serving on a police motorcycle committee at Harley-Davidson in the last few years,

According to an online obituary, Phil was deeply involved in his community beyond his professional endeavors. He was a dedicated member of a coffee club at Kay’s Cafe, faithfully attending seven days a week for over two decades. A member of the Great Bay Corvette Club. He was among the longest NH Road Dawgs members for over 25 years. He fostered camaraderie and fellowship among fellow motorcycle and Corvette enthusiasts. Phil's leadership extended to organizing and leading hundreds of charity rides, positively impacting countless lives.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Tina J. Miles; his children, Marcy Baer and her companion, Jason Corkum; Philip G. Miles, Jr. and Carole; Abigail Wing and her husband, Jay; Nicholas Miles and his wife, Miranda; and son-in-law, Randy Baer. He will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Isabella, Brogan, Sailer, Rowan, Waylon, Finneghan, Mason, and Otto. Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Arthur Miles; sister-in-law, Tammy Frazer; and her husband, Shawn; brother-in-law, Eddie Benson and his wife, Laurie; brother-in-law, Charles Ireland; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Hampshire Law Enforcement Cancer and Charitable Foundation (Steve Demo Fund), https://nhleccf.com/donate-1 or to the Rockingham County Law Enforcement Association, PO Box 361, Hampton, NH 03843. https://www.rock-law.org/.

For online condolences and to view the extended obituary, visit www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com.