Ronnie Phillips

This encyclopedia article is about a living person.

Ronnie Phillips is a Scott County lawman who served as sheriff from 2013 to 2022.

See Also: Sheriffs of Scott County
Preceded By: Mike Cross • Succeeded By: Brian Keeton

Personal Life

Phillips was born Sept. 23, 1973 and graduated from Scott High School. He is the son of Ronald “Pete” Phillips and Sue Phillips. He is married to Oneida Special School District Director Dr. Jeanny Butler. They married in 2019. His twin brother, Donnie Phillips, has been Scott County’s Circuit Court Clerk since 2006.

Both of Phillips’ grandfathers — Hoyel “Bud” Phillips and Milford “Spot” Chambers — served on Scott County Commission. Chambers also served as mayor of Huntsville.

Sheriff of Scott County

Phillips began his law enforcement career at Oneida Police Department. He and his twin brother, Donnie, became the first twins to graduate from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy at Donelson. Phillips obtained the rank of corporal at Oneida Police Department.

When Mike Cross was elected Scott County Sheriff in 2010, Phillips joined him as chief deputy. After Cross died in December 2013, Scott County Commission appointed Phillips to serve out the remainder of his term.

Phillips then ran for and was elected sheriff in 2014. He won in a landslide, defeating former chief deputy Bobby Ellis by a vote total of 5,801 to 1,128.

Phillips was re-elected in 2018, defeating former sheriff Anthony Lay, who was running as a write-in candidate. Phillips received 5,397 votes to Lay’s 1,587 votes.

Phillips was defeated by Brian Keeton in the 2022 election. Keeton received 4,220 votes to 2,595 votes for Phillips.

Phillips announced in January 2026 that he will seek the Republican nomination for sheriff in the May 2026 primary.