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James Edgar Hillberry
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
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Broward County Sheriff's Office has lost 24 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1964, 1 officer at Broward County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1990, with 2.
In 1964, 2 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 93rd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1964, 76 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 30. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Broward County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 39. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 30. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 30. 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. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 15.4% of these deaths at Broward County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 23.1%. Fridays: 15.4%.
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.2% of all 24 deaths at Broward County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 10.3% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Broward County Sheriff's Office has 24 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Arthur Fillebrown
Aug 26, 1957
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James Edgar Hillberry
Dec 4, 1964
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Robert Hugh Milligan
Aug 12, 1978
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Joseph Vincent Conte
Jul 11, 1979
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Worth Edwards
Mar 15, 1980
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Tony Yanniello
Oct 18, 1984
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John W. Greeney, III
Feb 17, 1990
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Patrick Kelly Behan
Nov 13, 1990
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Michael J. Metroka
Dec 15, 1997
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Michael Christopher Doane
Dec 24, 1999
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Philip Guy Billings
Apr 6, 2003
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Todd Michael Fatta
Aug 19, 2004
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Ryan Christopher Seguin
Feb 15, 2006
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Brian Keith Tephford
Nov 12, 2006
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Christopher Reyka
Aug 10, 2007
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Paul Rein
Nov 7, 2007
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Christopher Allen Schaub
Sep 26, 2012
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Daniel Rivera
Sep 21, 2013
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Michael David Ryan
Dec 31, 2017
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Benjamin Ryan Nimtz
Jul 21, 2019
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Matthew Michael Griffith
Nov 29, 2019
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Shannon Santo Bennett
Apr 3, 2020
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Aldemar Rengifo, Jr.
Aug 16, 2020
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Shane Troy Owens
Mar 27, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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