Des Moines Police Department, Iowa
End of Watch: Sunday, August 28, 1977
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 118
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 28, 1977
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Officer Dennis Hill was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a shots fired call at Thirteenth Street and Mondamin Avenue at 4 am.
As they approached the scene in the patty wagon, they pulled up next to the victim. The suspect was hiding in nearby bushes and immediately opened fire three times with a shotgun, striking Officer Hill in the head. Other officers responded to the "Officer Down" call, and another shootout ended with one other officer being wounded and the suspect being killed.
Officer Hill was a United States Army Vietnam and Iowa National Guard veteran and had served with the Des Moines Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two young children, and his parents. His father also served with the Des Moines Police Department.