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Philip Farley Fondly Remembered

Officer remembered as

‘Renaissance man'

Nearly 25-year member of Herndon police died of heart attack Feb. 2

by Gregg MacDonald | Staff Writer

For those who knew him, Herndon Police officer Phillip J. Farley was a natural leader, a devoted father and

the definitive "Renaissance man."

Farley, who died of a heart attack Feb. 2, joined the Herndon police force in April 1986 and was nearing his

25-year anniversary with the department.

Farley met his wife Tama -- a fellow officer -- at the Herndon police station, and together they raised two

daughters and a son in Herndon, before moving to Warrenton in 1996.

"When we lived in Herndon, I thought it was so cool that my dad was a cop," said his youngest daughter

Ashleigh, 21. "But my father wasn't defined by that, he was so amazing and into so many things."

According to friends, co-workers and family, the list of activities in which Farley participated is astounding.

"He was a hunter, a fisherman, he built boats, he flew planes, he was a blacksmith, forged knives, was a scuba

diver, an expert with weapons, and he read a library full of books," said Farley's brother-in-law Larry

Schonter. "Phil's appetite for knowledge was also demonstrated by his recent master's degree in criminal

justice."

Those who worked with Farley agree he had a multitude of interests and an unquenchable thirst for

knowledge.

"If you had a tiny piece of information about something that interested him, he'd want you to tell him all

about it, and then he would go out and become an expert on whatever topic it was," said Lt. Jerry Keys, who

worked with Farley for more than 24 years.

"Phil always took it all the way when he committed to something," agreed Eddie Stapleton, a senior police

officer. He said Farley was instrumental in transitioning the Herndon Police Department to its first electronic

records and communications system, as well as updating the department's weapons and safety equipment.

"[Farley] has made a significant impact to the agency's mission and will be greatly missed," Police Chief

Toussaint Summers said.

"He was the smartest man I have ever known," added Lt. Jeff Coulter. "I don't think I ever asked him a

question he couldn't answer."

Coulter, who would regularly go hunting and scuba-diving with Farley, called his friend and co-worker a

natural leader. "He would take everything to the extreme, but I would have followed him anywhere;

recreationally, or even into battle," Coulter said.

Farley's leadership spirit also was evident at home as a father.

"Growing up I was a tomboy and I didn't have much confidence in myself," said his oldest daughter, Sissy

McDaniel. "My dad would tell me that there was nothing to worry about; that I would one day grow up to be

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a beautiful young woman, and then he would teach me to be really good at baseball and basketball and said

the rest would come naturally."

Funeral services for Farley were conducted Tuesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon.

"He was my knight in shining armor," Tama Farley said after the service.

gmacdonald@fairfaxtimes.com

John Farley for his brother Phil

My big brother Phil was a great man. One of the greatest men I know. I looked up to him. I want to be like him. I see from the outpouring of love and condolences that you would agree that I made an excellent choice to be my role model.

In the last few days, I have listened to so many of you tell stories of how Phil has impacted your lives and the funny things that Phil has done…or done to you…usually followed by:

“It builds character”

“It’s too good for kids”

Or my favorite:

“And you have me confused with one of my other brothers”

Being surrounded by family and friends (that line between family and friends blurs a lot when we are talking about Phil), as we are laughing with Phil, and crying with Phil, it has once again shown me what an incredible person he is…and just how proud I am to be part of this family.

I believe this is what my big brother would wish to say to all of you.

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped into the next room.

I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference in your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we have always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

I would like say thank you to the Hendon PD and entire Law Enforcement Community. You have been incredible and have eased this burden on us. For that, I am eternally grateful.

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We are sad to announce that Norm Keeran's step son and best buddy, Philip Farley, passed away February 2, 2011.

This was taken right after Philip finished the rebuilding of the Beech Craft D-95 and before It’s first flight.

To read more about Philip Farely click: Philp Farely.