Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Frank Hill was shot and killed during an attempted jail break by three inmates. The inmates were using a revolver that had been smuggled into the jail by the wife of one of the inmates. The escape was blocked by a jail trustee and jail cook. All three inmates were kept in custody and charged with first degree murder and other charges. The woman who slipped in the gun was charged in connection with the murder. If it had not been for the quick action of the jail trustee, 18 other inmates would have joined in the escape. The three inmates were convicted of first degree murder. The one who shot Jailer Hill died in prison on August 6, 1951. Officials were on their way to his cell to let him know he had just been pardoned when they found him deceased. It was later discovered the inmate, age 48, died from natural causes. Another was denied clemency by Governor Walter A. Huxman on January 3, 1939. On July 31, 1945, his sentence was commuted to 35 to 50 years because of his heroic actions in fighting a coal fire at the Lansing Prison. On April 17, 1948, after receiving trustee status he escaped from Lansing Prison. He was never seen again. The third inmate was pardoned by Governor Edward F. Arn on October 11, 1952. The woman who supplied the gun spent several weeks in jail awaiting her trial. The charges were dismissed without an explanation. Most people thought it was because she had a 2-year-old child. Jailer Hill had been employed with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office for one year.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KS-B4C0D16D- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Jailer Hill gave the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Hill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer Frank Hill 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Sedgwick County Sheriff's Dept., 10 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Hill's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Hill Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Hill is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Hill was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Sedgwick County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
