James Edgar Hillberry

Broward County Sheriff's Office — Fort Lauderdale, FL

Felonious

End of Watch December 4, 1964

Age 30

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 100 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 23

Incident

Deputy Sheriff James Hillberry succumbed to gunshot wounds he received after stopping for a routine check of a vehicle on the side of the road in front of 2280 Hammondville Road on Thanksgiving morning. As soon as Deputy Hillberry approached the vehicle, the subject exited his car and attacked Deputy Hillberry. During the struggle with Deputy Hillberry, the subject was able to gain control of his gun. He shot Deputy Hillberry in the stomach before turning the weapon on an auxiliary deputy who was riding with Deputy Hillberry. The subject returned to his vehicle and fled the area. Deputy Hillberry was transported to North District Hospital, where he died eight days later. The suspect, 41, was arrested a short time later in West Palm Beach. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Deputy Hillberry had served with the Broward County Sheriff's Office for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, and a brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-06120BD9
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hillberry gave the Broward County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hillberry.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Broward County Sheriff's Office

Location Fort Lauderdale, FL

Platform Identity browso.broward.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 4, 1964

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 25 years

Deputy Sheriff James Edgar Hillberry is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Broward County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.2% of this agency's fallen.

Broward County Sheriff's Office

of 24 officers

54.2% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious