Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Cates was shot and killed after going to a suspcts home to question him about threats. The suspect was charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison but the decision was reversed in January of 1902 and in April of 1902 the suspect plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A9AE3FEE- 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.
Chief of Police Cates gave the Huntsville Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Hill J. Cates 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Huntsville Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Hill J. Cates's cause is highlighted.
How Hill J. Cates Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hill J. Cates is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hill J. Cates was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Huntsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
