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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willard Hill was killed in an aircraft accident while he, the sheriff, and another deputy transported extradited an escaped prisoner from West Virginia back to Robertson County, Tennessee. The single-engine Cherokee-Archer four-seat passenger plane being piloted by the sheriff ran out of fuel and crashed at the edge of the Sherwood neighborhood at the runway at Causey Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Deputy Hill was killed and the other occupants and inmate were injured. Deputy Hill served as a part-time deputy with the Robertson County Sheriff's Office.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hill served with the Robertson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Robertson County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Willard is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Willard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willard is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 3 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Willard was 55. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38.
Willard was 55. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Willard was 55. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Robertson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Robertson County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Willard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Robertson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
