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Incident
Jailer Frank Hill was shot and killed during an attempted jail break by three inmates. The inmates were using a revolver that had been smuggled into the jail by the wife of one of the inmates. The escape was blocked by a jail trustee and jail cook. All three inmates were kept in custody and charged with first degree murder and other charges. The woman who slipped in the gun was charged in connection with the murder. If it had not been for the quick action of the jail trustee, 18 other inmates would have joined in the escape. The three inmates were convicted of first degree murder. The one who shot Jailer Hill died in prison on August 6, 1951. Officials were on their way to his cell to let him know he had just been pardoned when they found him deceased. It was later discovered the inmate, age 48, died from natural causes. Another was denied clemency by Governor Walter A. Huxman on January 3, 1939. On July 31, 1945, his sentence was commuted to 35 to 50 years because of his heroic actions in fighting a coal fire at the Lansing Prison. On April 17, 1948, after receiving trustee status he escaped from Lansing Prison. He was never seen again. The third inmate was pardoned by Governor Edward F. Arn on October 11, 1952. The woman who supplied the gun spent several weeks in jail awaiting her trial. The charges were dismissed without an explanation. Most people thought it was because she had a 2-year-old child. Jailer Hill had been employed with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office for one year.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Jailer Hill gave the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Hill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1927, 4 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 45. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.8 and 42.5; the middle age was 33. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 2.7 years.
Frank was 45. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Frank was 45. 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. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10% of these deaths at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 30%. Tuesdays: 20%.
August holds 11% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has 10 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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Carlos B. King
Sep 23, 1871
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Frank Hill
Aug 16, 1927
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Roy Vance Johnson
Oct 31, 1974
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Terry Wayne McNett
Feb 2, 1988
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Christopher C. Willems
May 12, 1991
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Kevin S. Easter
Jan 8, 1996
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Kenneth Eugene Snider
Apr 18, 1997
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Brian Scott Etheridge
Sep 28, 2009
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Robert Kenneth Kunze, III
Sep 16, 2018
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Sidnee Carter
Oct 7, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
