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Winchell W. Hills
Incident
Chief of Police Winchell Hills was accidentally killed when a 20-gauge shotgun he was removing from a locker discharged, shooting him in the head.
He was alone in the village hall at 2729 Jackson Avenue when the accident occurred.
Chief Hills had served with the South Chicago Heights Police Department for 7-½ years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Chief of Police Hills gave the South Chicago Heights Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the S. Chicago Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
South Chicago Heights Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Winchell is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Winchell is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Winchell is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 6 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1938, 89 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1938, 100 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Winchell was 47. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Winchell had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Winchell was 47. 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. Winchell had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Winchell was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Winchell had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.6% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 17.2%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at South Chicago Heights Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
South Chicago Heights Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Winchell among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Chicago Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
