A procession led by a small group of law enforcement motorcycle officers departed from the J Verne Wood funeral home in Portsmouth, traversing through streets to Greenland. There, it swelled in size as hundreds of law enforcement officers joined in. Stretching over a mile, the procession, honoring "Phip," passed by numerous individuals displaying signs of tribute along the route to Bethany Church in Greenland.
Following the services, the procession continued through Greenland, proceeding north on Route 1, passing by Seacoast Harley Davidson, where Philip George Miles had worked with New England Police Vehicle Leasing for more than 25 years. A Portsmouth police motorcycle akin to the one he rode was showcased on a truck within the procession.
Many of the motorcycle officers had been personally mentored by Miles and had developed close friendships with him during his years of service to various police departments in the area. Law enforcement officers from across New England joined in the procession to pay their respects as Miles embarked on his final journey.
At Central Cemetery in Rye, over a thousand individuals gathered for graveside services, where the Portsmouth Police Honor Guard rendered a rifle salute in his honor.
Philip George Miles, affectionately known as Phip or "P," a resident of Greenland, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, at the age of 75. Born on July 13, 1948, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the late Shirley and Martha (Trefethen) Miles, Phil graduated from Portsmouth High School in the class of 1966 and served his country with distinction in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War.
Following his military service, Phil embarked on a dedicated professional journey, transitioning from roofing and construction to join the Portsmouth Police Department in 1978. Renowned as a true street cop and supervisor, he served as a Field Training Officer (FTO), imparting invaluable life lessons and fostering camaraderie among his colleagues. Even after his retirement in 1998, he remained connected to law enforcement through part-time work with the Portsmouth Police Department Auxiliary until 2020, and later with the Lee NH Police Department in 2019.
In 1998, Phil transitioned to Seacoast Harley-Davidson, where he managed New England Police Vehicle Leasing (NEPVL), overseeing the leasing of police motorcycles to departments across the northeast. A certified police motorcycle instructor, he trained and certified over 1000 police officers in motorcycle riding skills. Phil's dedication extended beyond his professional life, as he actively participated in community endeavors, including regular attendance at Kay's Cafe, membership in the Great Bay Corvette Club, and organizing numerous charity rides, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives.