Having been a police officer for near 40 years I had to attend 2 light aircraft crashes in my service. The way Jerry describes this crash is 100% correct, you very rarely find whole bodies. Total devastation, it still haunts me to today even though it was back in 1982 and 1983. What made it worse for me was that I knew all persons involved in both crashes.

I'm so glad we have this historic interview. He suffered PTSD from that crash and I'm sure no amount of money from artifacts can heal that.

My parents and I became friends with Jerry when we moved to Camden to live for a few years in the early 80s. My mom is a huge fan of Patsy’s, and Jerry took us to the crash site. I remember him telling us the horrible story of being on the scene early that morning. Those of you slamming him for keeping artifacts of the crash: he was told by his superiors that he could keep those things, when he tried to turn them in that day. Even the cuff link was not wanted when he offered to give that back to family. His keeping those things didn’t come from a place of disrespect or malice, at all. To him, they were pieces of history; pieces from the memory of the victims that he completely respected. If you’re aghast at his gruesome, unfiltered recollection, then perhaps you shouldn’t be watching interviews concerning a horrific plane crash?

Damn. Jerry was looking GOOD… i never would have thought he was an officer more than 30 years before this interview! He looks so young!

This man saved my grand parents life when would be robbers came to call..they intended to kill them..he stopped them..I have the highest respect for him..I have been in that store many times. Thank you again

This VIDEO IS GOLD! YOU PROBABLY WON’T SEE ANOTHER DOCUMENTARY LIKE THIS FOR YEARS!👈🏿👀. Treasure this video!

I could seriously listen to this guy talk all day!

All these years later (2022) to listen to this detailed description of what truly happened is amazing. I never knew what a plane disaster site would be like either. Thank you for the truthful account and allowing it to be heard.

Patsy can never be replaced. Her voice still lingers in my mind "Always."

I bet this man has this experience indented into his brain so well that it feels like yesterday for him and I can understand why.

I didn't expect him to go into as much detail as he did. Great interviewer. Just let the witness talk.

A very compelling interview...albeit a bit gruesome. This man is obviously very honest and candid. I've always loved Patsy...feisty and gifted with a voice that could make you cry one moment and blow your hair back the next. All of the occupants of that plane are missed. Thank you to all responsible for a great interview!

My daddy took me to see the crash site when I was five years old. I remember the ground there, which was in the woods, had been picked clean down to the dirt. I never saw that before, being in the woods and seeing the ground with no leaves or anything on it, just bare dirt. I remember all that was left to indicate what had occurred was one or two large pieces of the plane and nothing else, except the other folks who had come to look, just like we had. Thanks, Jerry for the extremely detailed account of that day. I don't imagine we will ever hear a better one than that.

Great interview! I love listening to real people telling a true story

So much respect for this man and this great interview. It was so honest, sincere, no exploitation or seeking of glory. Just a sober eyewitness account...

People need to stop being so shaming and scolding and appreciate some things once in a while...like this interview. This interview is gold. It is full of historical accounts, details, descriptions, and recollections from someone who was actually at the crash site doing his job. The interview consists of siting, arrival, and descriptions of what he witnessed on the ground and in the trees as he made his way though the wreckage. The description includes plane wreckage, tree damage, strewn objects, and yes, of course, bodies. It is a full account. All of it is welcomed information to document this horrible tragedy. It is great that someone was still alive who could share their story in such detail. It's nice we have a full and complete account for all time from someone who was actually there! To the person who posted this and to the interviewer and Mr. Phifer, thank you for this complete, comprehensive, no holds barred interview of the full experience as remembered. Thank you...

Patsy had a voice that gave me goosebumps.

When people experience something rather traumatic, some keep it fully within, some shrug it off, some can talk about it and some can't. This guy can talk about it, and once he starts to, you can tell he's back there. And he takes you with him as he experienced it. Those artifacts of that day he has are fascinating, and unlike the crude souvenir hunters he describes he seems like a pretty respectful and caring man, so I've no doubt he got these when others said he could.

Fascinating interview!!!!! So glad it was recorded! Even though gruesome, good to have the truth!

How can anyone listen to this with out crying, especially those who loved Patsy and the other passengers so much. Heartbreaking!

My father named me after Patsy Cline😢

His recollection is incredible

Excellent interview. She did not interrupt him constantly with stupid questions. Great job.

One of the best descriptions of an event I have ever heard. I am sure he has told the story many times, but still he really puts one right with him that terrible night. The violence of that crash is made vivid.

Wow, I couldn't imagine walking up on a scene like that, where you see flesh and body parts everywhere. Something you'd never forget, unfortunately.

I used to live in Camden TN. Patsy Cline has always been one of my favorite Country Music Artists. My Dad was a Deputy Sheriff under Jerry Phifer, and knew him well.

60 years on still heartbreaking. Horrible what happened there. Must have been very distressing for an 18 year old to witness. RIP

Some things can never be unseen. Bless everyone involved!

I'll take this kind of interview ANYDAY over the modern day interviews were the Lords of Propaganda determine what I can hear and what I cant hear.

My grandmother's sister lived in McKenzie, TN which is about a half hour away from Camden. My grandmother's brother-in-law was outside working on his car and an airplane flew over and he said that the plane was having engine troubles. Then he heard the news about Patsy Cline's plane crashing and so we all think that was her plane flying over. Such a tragic loss. There will never be another that will have a voice like hers.

Good interview. I’ve been looking for details of this crash and also Buddy Hollys. If you’re not ready for ALL the details, don’t watch interviews. It’s that simple. This is a part of history and by him telling his story because he was there it puts rumours to bed once and for all. Thank-you, Sir.

Thanks from Patsy fans in UK to everyone involved . ( And to all in the great state of Tennessee .! )

This was horrible. What a terrible violent way to go. But I'm sure she didn't suffer, and I hope the others on the plane with her didn't suffer either. A terrible tragedy, and a loss of true talents.

I'm born raised and currently still reside in Camden TN and it's honestly sad how little people even remember or care for the memorial, it's recently been " fixed up", term used lightly. A sad situation... It would be nice if more people would come see and respect the memorial, locally and what must be millions of fans around the country. This explanation given by Mr. Is very acurate to the story my father always told me, who was 14 at the time and lived down the road close enough to hear the crash and ride his bicycle to the crash site amd watched as they cleaned up. Horribly unfortunate events to befall such a country music legend including the less popular but also extremely talented musicians, along with the plane's pilot. I along with countless others, very much wish that more people would respect and visit their memorial maybe then it could be redone the way a legend like herself as well as the others who accompanied her that fateful night, deserve. I dont mean to make it sound like a disrespectful memorial or anything, the memorial is pretty and in a beautiful area Patsy Cline will never be completely forgotten but it is sad how little people remember the tragedy, let alone, visit. Everyone on board that plane will live on in memory forever either way. Still breaks my heart, and I know I'm not the only one to feel that way. And apologies for such a long comment but I habe no other social media and wanted to put this out there. God bless.

❤👼❤👼❤👼❤ *Who's watching this 2 6 2020* Wow.. such a interview trying to keep it with dignity.... but still naiveness is not bad.. but young man to grow up fast to see a mangle bodies.etc .thats embedded into they heads forever. Wow..!!!! I surely respect him telling the truth...we all like 15 minutes of so called framed.. but not at a cost of Lies.....so I too believe his story... even though it's an older interview.. doesnt feel 24 years ago.. but it was... Thank you Peace!!!!! ❤👼❤👼❤👼❤👼

On my word .... I've never heard this before . I just thought all of these years the plane crashed into​ and mountain like the movie shows . That would haunt me for years if I had seen something like that . I could not imagine what they were having to going through as that plane was going down . It makes my heart hurt just thinking about it . Bless their hearts .....oh...!! Well, I pray they are all at peace now . I remember when my husband and I went to Loretta Lynn's ranch Hurricane Mills and the tour guides made sure they didn't forget to talk about Pasty Cline and Loretta being best friends . The tour guide also told us that Pasty' plane went down not far from where Loretta Lynn's​ home is . I never knew that . Thanks for sharing your story .

I am proud to see a real American Like Jerry., he witnessed one of the worst accidents ever., of real Entertainers. A super clear mind ., Tenn should be proud of him., I have never met him but I am glad that I saw this., I saw Ptsy Kline one month before the crash with Marty Robbins., and it would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. That were incredible. Thank you Jerry,

Such a tragic loss and probably best to remember Patsy and her companions as they were. They certainly left a legacy for others to enjoy. So many of the entertainers I loved and admired met awful ends, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, Eddie Cochran, Jim Reeves and Otis Redding to name but a few. Some stars really shine and Patsy Cline was one such person.Her music transcended both country and popular music. I recall as a youngster sneaking into a local pub (bar) on a Saturday evening to listen to young women singing her songs, they were pretty good vocalists too, such a long time ago now but my love of Country Music and Rock 'N 'Roll as stayed with me and just listening to it can change a person's mood for the better. RIP Patsy Cline you are still loved.

What a wonderful and informative video . I love that he doesn't skip over any intimate details and gives a true, and full account of what he saw. Thanks for this great interview.

This is amazing & frank account of a tragedy with no holds barred &, as graphic as some of the story is, one cannot imagine actually witnessing such an incident at 18 years of age!

Damn he painted a realistic image

Dang, that's brutal. Poor Patsy lost an amazing life. God bless them all.

Virginia Hensley was her Real name. She was a Fantastic singer. Loved her music and she sang it from her Heart. You could tell that indeed.

Such a tragic loss of those country music stars. Patsy Cline had a beautiful voice. I listen to her on my MP3 player.

Jerry is a real pioneer at collectibles and getting amazing stuff. He's one of the very very best.

Patsy won the hearts of millions, I was a late teen when this happened, but she had my admiration that has not waned a bit in the past 56 years

Though she left at a very tender age of 31, her voice is with us , entertaining, soothing and very sorrowfully reminding us all that she was !!! Already a great singer of her time. beautiful voice. Heart felt lyrics. May the Almighty rest her soul in eternal peace. Amen.

RIP PATSY & JERRY....THIS WAS A GREAT INTERVIEW....THANKS FOR UPLOADING!!!! ;)

Thank you for share this story to real Fans. Truly will miss them forever. God bless them in heaven.

she was the greatest girl singer of all time.

This is so disturbing ... Rest in peace Patsy and everyone else who lost their lives in this horrible accident ...

Thank you so much for sharing this story. I just happen to come across it and i had no idea what it was really like. I am a huge fan of Patsy now and always. Thank you again ❤

Nothing like an eyewitness to a piece of history. This is amazing, thank you 0721busman

9:35 thanks for not collecting Cline ‘s foot which you saw on the tree appreciate that sir

EARTH ANGEL. ; A VERY SAD ACCIDENTS, AND A VERY SAD RECKONING FOR THIS 18 YEAR OLD MAN TO HAVE WITNESSED. PATSY CLINE WAS A GREAT COUNTRY SINGER, MISSED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE. JUST A GREAT LEGEND NOW! BUT A TRUE ONE. YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION KNOW AND LIKE HER MUSIC . THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

She ask and he delivered!

I watch this video all the time and constantly think to myself: "what happened to all those pieces of plane and personal artifacts that were taken away and scavenged?" for some reason this tragedy is so fascinating to me... probably because so many people would tell so many stories about it that aren't true. that and i find morbid events totally fascinating

hats off to first responders.

Great interview! Love how you let the guest tell the story :D Oh and that you too Mr. Phifer.

Hearing this gives me chills!!! A National Treasure lost. 🥺🥺

he said his hair stood and felt funny that was there sprits trying to tell them something may god rest there souls

I was almost in tears while he was describing the scene, then I busted out laughing because of the ladies reaction when he said the metal fragment had flesh on it.

I wasn't born until 73 but I have loved Patsy and her music. That was such a horrible day! It makes me sick to my stomach to think about what they went thru those final moments! They were so close to home! I pray the angels were with them and gave them comfort!

This is sad not only for what the last moments must have horrifically been like for those who tragically lost their lives so gruesomely but also for the man who admired he was only 18 and the images in his mind that he can never forget. (GOD REST IN PIECE TO THOSE WHO PERISHED, & PRAYERS TO HER CHILDREN WHO HAD TO GROW UP WITHOUT HER )

Scene should have been taped off..for investigation nothing should have been touch....sad

Such a sad story. Probably the best singer ever in country music or any other genre. Its distressing to hear the graphic details of how they were ripped apart like that. But once gone, they didn't care. My dad had an NDE and told me there is nothing but love and joy on the other side and no pain. And we still have her music.

Love this kind of guy,...real,...no B.S.,.......good ole boy.....thanx for sharing this with us.

With small planes, it's common for bodies to be thrown by the G-forces upon impact (i.e. the Buddy Holly crash) and if it's in an open field, they can travel long distances. These poor folks were likely killed immediately on impact and didn't suffer that entire trajectory, still a horrendous way to go. We had a Piper Cherokee hit the side of our garage in 1991 with 3 men on board. 2 died on impact and 1 took 2-3 breaths, given the residue found in his lungs. Their bodies were crumpled and mangled in a small pile of wreckage in the middle of our garage. I made it a point not to keep anything from the wreck that NTSB and police left behind. Not ripping this guy for his keepsakes, it was just my personal decision.

What a sad day, we lost one of the greatest talents the world has ever known.

I knew that the majority of plane crashes generally pulverized anything of a delicate nature. We fall into that category of delicate. I was surprised that so much of Patsy was left whole. I really didn't expect that but a part of me is thankful for it though not losing her would have been a thousand times better. I think of Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Big Bopper, and of course the long tall Texan, Buddy Holly. You know that gravity and hitting a surface that is hard...of which even water can be....doesn't leave much chance of anything as delicate as bodies whole. Sickening and sick to the heart. So fast, no pain...except for those left behind. Then there is great pain.

lord that crash was horrible I couldn't amazing seeing that I wouldn't be able to close my eye's to sleep at night..to all that lost their life in this horrible accident rest easy...

I totally respect this man’s approach to what he witnessed & do not judge him in any way or form, think what he saw & described was nothing less than admiration, he was only saying it as it was ,

Thank you for posting this interview, I’m 35 years old from CT always had questions what had happened to Patsy and all the Souls on that plane. What a Tragic Loss so much joy these entertainers brought to the world. This gentlemen explains the happenings that fateful night. Thanks goodness these folks were their people with Honor and Integrity, unfortunately today some fool would probably try to take photos to sell. Bless all the people who perished on that plane that night may they Rest In Peace...

Extraordinary. And, a big thank-you to Mr. Phifer for his astonishing recollection. This crash happened when I was only two years old, but, details about it are rare. I think that for fans of the great Patsy Cline- this absence of detail has left a mystery surrounding her death. It surely must have been traumatizing for an 18 year old rookie to process this grisly death scene. I commend Mr. Phifer for staying in the field of law enforcement. As a vocalist I sang many of Patsy Clines songs during my long career. Audiences really appreciate hearing her music, it is deeply satisfying music to pay homage to. Patsy Cline was a one in a trillion singer. That she survived a car crash, then lost her life in a plane crash is ominous. But, we have her recordings, and performances on film to remember her. When Mr. Phifer picked up the pack of guitar strings, my hand went over my mouth. This first person verbal account of a tragic night in history is important. I appreciate the courage it took to share this story. RIP Patsy Cline, and God be with you Mr. Phifer.

Yes I believe if he could of saved someone’s life if he could , he was honest and true ❤👍🙏 thanks for sharing. Perry 2023

So very sad for such talent. Thank you for sharing!

God bless him for being so honest. It might have been too much for some but I appreciate the absolute honesty.

quite articulate in ur speech comprehensive report. sorry u had to face that. can hear u sympathised with all concerned. blessings

Always wondered about the details of that crash, thanks for posting.

He tells a great story!!!

Thank you for a good interview Jerry, . Patsy Cline was such a great singer and I know that she would have went far if she had not have died so young. There will never be another performer with a voice like Patsy's. Cowboy Copus and Hawkins had very promising careers in music also. Such a tragic accident that claimed four lives. So sad.

What incredible--and incredibly tragic--history. He does a great job with a horrifying story.

Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline were friends and both loved their music and no doubt when they meet again they will remember their singing years as they gained fame.

I remember hearing the announcement on our little AM radio at home. In a family of music lovers, it was heart-breaking, especially for those who were part of the Army and Navy Air Forces during WW2 and Korea who knew firsthand what it means when airplanes go down. Just in case anyone doesn't know TODAY, the FAA has strict protocols and it is illegal to pilfer any crash site but specifically you can be charged with a felony. Disturbing the site in any way not excused by life-saving rescue efforts will not be tolerated Especially when fatalities are involved. Taking pictures of human remains is specifically forbidden. A family member spent many years with the Red Cross and was assigned to work at a passenger jet crash site near our home town. One volunteer was caught taking pictures while human remains were being located and marked. HE was escorted to a police car.

Very nicely told story of a tragedy, respectful.

Such an amazing story but only 18 to see that he will never forget seems to be a lot of singers killed in plane crashes in the sixties it must have been an eerie sight

Such a tragedy, we lost such a talented singer. RIP Patsy

Wow, I've been a Patsy fan since I was little and of course knew about the crash but I had no idea it was so brutal. Shocking really. I'm so sorry for their families.

Enjoyed her music first time a heard it. Thank ya kindly for this vid and history.

This is the best detailed description of what happened to those 4 people. This guy most likely had a hard time living with those memories and was finally able to share them. I'm glad that he did. The story of their fate should be known. Anyone not wanting to hear shouldn't be looking it up.

Her foot was in a tree Her watch went into her heart.

My father Larry Douglas was walking down the road close to the crash and Porter Wagner and his wife came by and asked him to show them the site....he rode with them there...he was one of the first people to see the crash.

Rest Easy in Heaven Miss Patsy, Heaven gained a beautiful person with the voice of and angel. Always your fan.

Watching in 9 / 24 /2020. Never heard these details. Interesting ,but sad story.

Had a teacher who reminds me a lot of this man, he was a mine rescuer in WV where I grew up told the class some pretty gruesome stories a lot like this about accidents and recoveries he worked and said that most of the bodies recovered were just pieces. I couldn’t imagine stumbling onto a site like this in the woods surrounded by carnage

I love the American accent, absolutely loved it,

don't think he meant any harm. he expressed grief throughout the report. quite comprehensive and articulate, sorry if anyone has been hurt. God be with you.

8:15 well lady interviewer U wanted to hear the story there you go

Thank you so much a wonderful interview so well described

Live n Tennessee been to crash site so sad I cried