Fallen Police Officer Remembered

Hundreds of police officers gathered in Oklahoma City to honor their fallen brothers and sisters. Members of the Altus Police Department attended the ceremonies for a very special reason. They were there to honor the legacy of John Henry Hill. Hill was the first and only Altus Police Officer to ever die in the line of duty. He was killed September 7th, 1934, on the exact spot where the city plans to put its new police department.

Officer Hill was shot and killed by two white suspects who were upset that Officer Hill, who was black, had ordered them to leave an area of town earlier in the evening. After the original incident, the two men went to a store and each bought a .38 caliber pistol. They returned to the area and located Officer Hill. As Officer Hill attempted to disarm one of the men the other suspect shot him in the back four times. Although wounded, Officer Hill was able to return fire and killed one of the suspects.


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