Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Denny--I will always remember your birthday, very sadly (and angrily) remember every August 28 and always feel your absence from my life. It has always been a privilege to be your cousin!

Jessie Morris Maurer
Cousin and friend

May 14, 2023

R.I.P. Brother we’ll take it from here. Praying for your family in their great loss.

FBI Supervisor Ron Beach
FBI MOBILE DIVISION ALABAMA

August 30, 2022

I watched "heaven's heroes" just recently. I almost cried. I saw a very young policeman around my age just killed, who was on his duty. As old as the movie was, it still breathes the memory of Dennis Hill. I know you have found rest in the Lord's bossom already. Your memory will live long.

Dr O. C
Nigerian medical doctor

July 16, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 28, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Hill. Thanks in kind for serving Des Moines citizens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2018

Officer Hill,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Des Moines. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 28, 2017

Denny Hill was an outstanding Police Officer. Although, I never worked with him. I knew Cindy and Denny on a personal level before I became DMPD and continued to socialize with them.

I celebrate Denny's EOW each year on 28 August. I saw him on the 27 August - 3rd to 1st watch shift change and wished him luck. Obviously, I did not provide enough luck for him. I will never forget the Iowa Guard Helicopter Missing Man formation at your gravesite. I lost it when that happened.

My son who is a Federal Agent was named for Denny Hill (EOW 28 Aug 77) and Brian Melton (DMPD EOW 21 Apr 77).

I have been working in Washington, DC for past five years and have visited the National Law Enforcement Memorial multiple times to visit with Denny and Brian. I also volunteer at the Memorial during Police week.

Hopefully Cindy and their children have excelled in life following this senseless tragedy.

Denny Hill rest in peace - you are not forgotten. Your friend, Jim Hamilton.

LTC (R) James D. Hamilton
Former SPO Des Moines Police Dept (#588)

March 26, 2016

I remember watching HEAVEN'S HEROES when I was young and still living at home. I have Pastored for 21 years and have just recently become the Sheriff Department's Chaplain. So, I showed this film to my 4 kids. We laughed, we cried, we loved it...we will remember!
"Thank you Officer Hill"...and every other law enforcement officer who serve and protect.

Pastor Tony Jones - CHAPLAIN
Colleton County Sheriff's Office (South Carolina)

February 3, 2015

Gone but never forgotten....Rest in Peace Officer Hill.

Dan Austin

January 7, 2015

Rest in Peace, Officer Hill. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 26, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

April 18, 2013

God Bless You, Dennis.

DMPD
DMPD

October 28, 2011

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 23, 2007

Sir, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

We have your watch. Rest in peace.

I grew up in Polk City and have seen Heaven's Heros many times.

Master Officer T.D. Morton
Chesterfield, Va.

November 5, 2006

Very soon Dennis' daughter will be as old as her father was when he was killed. She is doing a lot of work remembering her father and trying sort through how his life and his death has affected her. She is honoring his memory and working through the tragedy again as an adult.

I know that he would be proud of her. She has dedicated her life to kids who are deeply troubled. She is making the world a better place. And she is amazingly competitive. She beats everyone (well, almost everyone--I manage to beat her fairly often) in games.

Dennis, thanks for bringing your amazing daughter into the world. She is a wonderful tribute to your life!

Rev. Nancy Brink
Pastor of his daughter

October 10, 2006

I wish to honour the life of Officer Dennis Hill by informing readers of the Christian film "Heaven's Heroes".
The film was produced by Mark IV Pictures and is based on the life of Officer Hill. It is a fitting tribute to Officer Hill and indeed all Police Officers. Please be assured of my continued thoughts and prayers for the Hill family.
God bless you all.
Yours sincerely,
Michael D. Sainsbery
Melbourne, Australia.

Michael D. Sainsbery

April 18, 2005

Officer Hill,

I never got to meet you. But as a friends of several officers at the Des Moines Police Department. Not a day goes by they don't stop and remember you & the others that have fallen.

I hope you are resting comfortably with the Lord. May you continue your beat on the streets of Heaven and shine down on the ones patrolling the streets of Des Moines, Iowa.

Tonya Stephenson
Former Des Moines, IA Resident

February 24, 2005

Rest In Peace, Your sacrfice shall not be forgotten.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

February 1, 2005

Dennis Hill 30 years old, badge 118. A well liked son of a DMPD Sergeant and a friend to many. Rest in Peace Brave Soul.

SPO Bill Trimble

May 24, 2004

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST INSPECTION ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry badges can’t always be a Saint. I’ve had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I’ve been violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn’t mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many unmanly tears. I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you’ve a place for me Lord, it needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don’t, I’ll understand."


There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Rest in peace brother

Detective
Des Moines Police Department

Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the sons of god. Mathew 5:9

Explorer
Des Moines Police Department