An honor for an Air Force captain who died in the line of duty from his high school in the Quad Cities.
Captain Stephen Phillis was killed while protecting a downed pilot during Operation Desert Storm.
He graduated from Alleman High school in 1978.
Rock Island gave the green light for the school to rename part of 40th Street in front of the school after him.
City leaders, family, friends and students showed up for a street renaming ceremony Tuesday morning.

“When you lose a child you never forget,” Richard Phillis said.

Alleman High School alumni Captain Stephen Phillis gave his life to protect a fellow pilot during Operation Desert Storm .

“He was a very giving person he always thought of others seldom of himself,” Phillis said.

Phillis’ father Richard said he never realized how much his son did for others until it was time to lay him to rest.

“We’ve found over the years that our children have expanded our boundaries,” said Phillis.
“we tried to teach him respect, respect for others,” he said.

He said it’s gratifying to know that so many people still remember him and his selflessness by renaming a street after him.

“We feel very honored that this was done, we’re humbled that the school and so many people in the city still remember him and what he did,” said Phillis.

His mom Diane said her son always had a love for his country.

“He was a very humbled person and he didn’t like a lot of fanfare so it might’ve been a little difficult for him today,” she said.

Phillis was the oldest of 5.
His younger sister Cathy said when she lost her brother she lost her best friend. 

“It’s been 27 years but I still miss him everyday.”
“Being the oldest one he kind of steered everybody and kind of lost our router for awhile when he was taken from us,” she said.
“I think it probably would’ve been somewhat embarrassing because as Diane he would’ve said I was just doing what I was supposed to do.”

“He totally loved what he did,” said Phillis.

Phillis was 30 years old when he died.
The family also received a street sign to take home in Stephen’s honor.