PC David Phillips: Daughters of policeman killed in hit-and-run pay tribute to 'the best Dad ever'

The policeman's widow Jane was joined in laying flowers by the roadside by their daughters Abigail and Sophie

PC Dave Phillips with wife Jen and their two daughters, Abigail (left) and Sophie (Merseyside Police)

The heartbroken daughters of a policeman who was struck and killed by a stolen pick-up truck have paid an emotional tribute to “the best dad ever”.

Pc Dave Phillips’ widow Jen, 28, was joined in laying flowers at the roadside where he was hit by the vehicle by daughters Abigail, seven, and Sophie, three.

Abigail, seven, wrote: “Daddy, I love you so much, you are the best daddy in the world. You are my hero. I will miss you. Love Abigail.”

The two girls also appeared in an emotional video posted on YouTube by Merseyside Police along with Pc Phillips’ nephew Thomas, seven, and niece Annabel, four.

Abigail read touching handwritten tributes from a large piece of paper and said: “My daddy was a lovely, kind and caring dad.”

At a press conference, the officer’s youngest sister, Kate Phillips, said: “He means so much to so many people. He was our world and our world has become a little darker for all who knew him.”

His middle sister, Hannah Whieldon, read a poem that her brother had written for his wife on their fourth wedding anniversary, which said: “You are my heart, my soul, my eternity.”

Ms Whieldon said: "He was stolen from us but, by God, what was stolen from him? Two girls have been left without a daddy."

The widow of police officer Dave Phillips, Jen and their children Abigail, right, and Sophie arrive to lay floral tributes at Wallasey Dock Road, where PC Phillips was killed (Reuters)

Just hours before his final fatal shift, he was with his wife filming their daughters "beaming" with smiles, singing and dancing, she said.

"But beyond all our combined grief, which believe me, makes it hard to breathe, is that of his beautiful wife, Jen," She added.

Daddy, I love you so much, you are the best daddy in the world. You are my hero

&#13; <p>Abigail, the seven-year-old daughter of PC David Phillips</p>&#13;

"She's only 28. It's her birthday next month. She won't be a pampered wife, getting breakfast in bed - she will now be a grieving widow."

Flanked by her family, Jen Phillips held a tissue and sometimes dabbed her eyes as she was overcome by emotion.

Mrs Phillips had earlier left a written message at the scene, which read: "Dave, my poo Bear! I can't believe you've been taken away from me, you are my everything and I have no idea how I am going to carry on with you not by my side.

"I love you with every inch of my heart and will miss you so so much, Your Mrs XXXXX."

Pc Phillips, 34, and a younger colleague were preparing to use a "stinger" device to try to stop a red Mitsubishi Challenger, which had been stolen from an estate agent's in Birkenhead during a burglary, when it mounted the central reservation early on Monday.

Detectives investigating the officer's death have arrested three women and a man on suspicion assisting an offender.

Two men, aged 18 and 30, from Oxton and Wallasey areas of Wirral, were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder.