Incident
Police Officer John 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. The other man was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years. Officer Hill was a United States Army WWI veteran.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Hill served with the Altus Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Altus community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Henry Hill served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Altus Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 14 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 35. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
John was 35. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Altus Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Military Service
John Henry Hill served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Henry Hill’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Altus Police Department are honored on badge.nw.