- Steven Phipps Jr. was fatally shot by police after fleeing a traffic stop and allegedly pulling a gun; the officer’s actions were later ruled justified.
- The Phipps’ family, led by his aunt Angela, is launching community courses to raise awareness about legal rights and safe police interactions.
- The free sessions, starting May 23 in north Omaha, will include guidance from police and attorneys, focusing on traffic stops, rights, and vehicle compliance.
On September 28, 2024, a routine traffic stop near 31st and Taylor turned tragic. Steven Phipps Jr. fled from police and allegedly pulled a gun while attempting to jump a fence. Officer Noah Zendejas fired eight shots, killing Phipps. Now, his family is turning their grief into action.
“Just saving lives, hopefully in the long run,” explained Steven’s aunt, Angela Phipps.
She believes that a lack of knowledge about legal rights and how to interact with police can be fatal — and she wants to make sure that others do not face the same fate.
“That it can happen, what happen to him could happen to anyone that who is misinformed, it can be anyone in that situation— so overall, I just want to bring awareness to those who may not think they need it,” according to Phipps.
The Phipps family has partnered with community advocate Leo Louis II to launch a series of free public courses on legal rights during police encounters.
“Such as rolling your window down when your pulled over by a police officer— actually handing over your identification when they ask for it,” Leo Louis II, the Pope, said.
The first course will take place on May 23 at the Essential Gathering Place, located on North 42nd Street in North Omaha. The sessions will include presentations by Omaha Police officers on how traffic stops are conducted, attorneys explaining individual rights, and registration and vehicle tag advice.
“Oftentimes in our communities, there are not attorneys, are not a lot of police, there are not a lot of people who work in the system at all,” said Wardlow, who is a lawyer.
Sir Wayne Wardlow believes that fear does not have to define the relationship between community members and law enforcement.
“I am mean if you were born and raised in north Omaha, you are going to have family and friends that may have had interacted with the system in a negative way right, so those become out perspective unfortunately,” says Wardlow.
“I am thankful of everyone in keeping my nephew’s memory alive.. that was the biggest thing for me, just not allowing him to die in vain,” Phipps recalled.
In October, District Attorney Don Kleine determined that the officer’s actions were justified. As per Nebraska law, the case is still being reviewed by a grand jury.