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Incident
Deputy Hillard was killed when his cruiser struck a tree while in a pursuit. Deputy Hillard was chasing a motorcycle and had just entered a neighboring county. He was on a winding road when his cruiser slid sideways and struck a tree. Deputy Hillard's shift supervisor radioed to him to end the chase, but the crash happened moments earlier. The motorcycle that Deputy Hillard was chasing fled the scene, but turned himself in several days later.
Deputy Hillard had been with the agency for six years, and had been in law enforcement for 21 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Hillard gave the Rowan County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Salisbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hillard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rowan County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1999, 5 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1999, 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 1999, 78 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 61st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Richard was 46. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Richard had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Richard was 46. 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. Richard had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Richard had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Sundays: 11.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Rowan County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, 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
Rowan County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rowan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
