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Incident
Policeman Hilton was shot and killed by a man who was attempting to free a prisoner.
The officer had arrested a man for the theft of a watch and pistol. He was walking him to jail when he was confronted by one the man's friends. When Policeman Hilton refused to release the prisoner, the man suddenly produced a .38 caliber revolver and shot him. He was killed instantly.
The suspect fled Wise County and was tracked to Memphis, Tennessee, by a private detective, who arrested him. The suspect was a notorious criminal in the region and was believed to have murdered as many as two dozen men. He was returned to Virginia where he was convicted of Policeman Hilton's murder and sentenced to death. The Virginia Supreme Court upheld the conviction and the suspect was hanged at the Wise County Courthouse on September 2, 1892.
Policeman Hilton had only been appointed as a special policeman a short time before being murdered.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Policeman Hilton served with the Norton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Norton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Norton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Enos is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Enos is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Enos 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 1891, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1891, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Enos was 37. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Enos was 37. 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.
Enos was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Norton Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 1.5% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Norton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Enos among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Norton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
