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Incident
Marshal William Hillyer succumbed to gunshot wounds when he was shot by a man who had a long-standing feud with the Hillyer family. The suspect located Marshal Hillyer in a drugstore and shot him with his shotgun. Marshal Hillyer was transported to a Yakima hospital where he succumbed to his wounds four days later. The suspect was acquitted of the murder charges. Marshal Hillyer was a Royal Navy veteran and served with the Zillah Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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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.
Marshal Hillyer served with the Zillah Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Zillah 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
William J. Hillyer served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Zillah Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1923, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 58. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
William was 58. 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.
William was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 10.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Fridays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Zillah Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
William J. Hillyer served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit William J. Hillyer’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 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Zillah Police Department are honored on badge.nw.