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Benjamin Thomas Hill
Incident
Patrol Inspector Benjamin Hill was shot and killed while pursuing an illegal alien near El Paso, Texas. He had observed the drug smuggler cross the Rio Grande River and began to pursue him. The man entered an alley between Hammett Boulevard and Latta Street, near Findley Street, and then suddenly turned and shot Inspector Hill in the chest. On February 27, 1930, other Border Patrol officers captured three drug smugglers after a wild gun battle with them and several others on the Rio Grande River south of El Paso. One, who was shot in the leg, gave the offiers the name of Inspector Hill's murderer and declared he was one of the largest rum runners in Mexico. Inspector Hill had served with the United States Border Patrol for only two weeks. He was not married. He was buried in the Wheeler Cemetery, Wheeler County, Texas.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Inspector Hill served with the United States Department of Labor.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Inspector Hill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has lost 28 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 4 officers at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 14 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 27. Of the 19 killed feloniously at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 33. Benjamin had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Benjamin was 27. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Benjamin had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Benjamin was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 20%.
May holds 7.6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 28 deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 35% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
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Clarence Meek Childress
Apr 16, 1919
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Charles Lloyd Hopkins May 9, 1919
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Charles Gardiner
Oct 21, 1922
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James F. Mankin Sep 14, 1924
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Frank H. Clark
Dec 13, 1924
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Joseph P. Riley
Apr 6, 1925
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Augustin De La Pena
Aug 3, 1925
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Ross A. Gardner Oct 28, 1925
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William W. McKee Apr 23, 1926
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Lon Parker
Jul 25, 1926
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Orin F. Hush
Jan 31, 1927
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Thaddeus Pippin
Apr 21, 1927
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Franklin P. Wood
Dec 15, 1927
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Norman G. Ross
Feb 10, 1928
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Robert H. Lobdell
Dec 25, 1928
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Earl A. Roberts
Mar 24, 1929
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Benjamin Thomas Hill
May 30, 1929
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Ivan E. Scotten
Jul 20, 1929
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Miles Joseph Scannell
Sep 9, 1929
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William Douglas McCalib
Jan 7, 1930
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Harry E. Vincent Mar 25, 1930
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Robert William Kelsay
Jun 25, 1930
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Frank Vidmar, Jr.
Mar 24, 1932
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Charles F. Inch
Jun 26, 1932
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Philip Dryer Strobridge
Mar 7, 1933
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Doyne C. Melton
Dec 7, 1933
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Bert G. Walthall
Dec 27, 1933
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William L. Sills
Jan 17, 1940
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
