Line of Duty Deaths Database

James L. Hill
Name
James L. Hill
Local
L0031, Tacoma
Gender
Male
Age
86
District
07
Occupation
Lieutenant
Type of Duty
Fire Suppression
Fatal Injury Cause
Contact/Exposure - Smoke/Toxic Fire Prod.
Nature of Fatal Injury
Cardiac Arrest - Cardiac Arrest
Date of Death
6/7/2026
Year Placed On Wall
2027
Multiple Line of Duty Incident
No information available
Name
City/State
Date
Summary
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Website Comments
All,
I would so much like to be there with all of you AND if anyone would understand my absence to this gathering to honor one DVP Emeritus James Hill………it would be my friend and mentor Jim Hill.
When I heard that Brother Hill had died, I sat down and thought about him for a bit. There were many emotions as I remembered our many interactions. I would like to share a few with you with some commentary.
Jim and I had much in common and we had much NOT in common. I believe this gave Jim pause and had him wondering what to do with me. He knew I was Labor through and through however we had different approaches. He was a smart and deliberate statesman while I was a guy who would just as soon take a rival in a back alley and convince them that way. Jim wore a suit at almost every event/gathering and I dressed like a cross between a biker and cowboy. Quite the contrast of two individuals that had others well-being at the heart of our efforts.
I remember when he first introduced me to the General President Al Whitehead to talk about HAMMER facility in Palm Springs at the educational seminar. He and Al in a suit and I in wranglers (holes in the knees of course), cowboy shirt and big belt buckle. We got an understanding of the effort regarding HAMMER however he did comment on my attire.
We got sideways in the race to replace him, however at the end of the day, “his guy” won and we moved on. He of course backed his guy again when I ran against “his guy” with all he had. This time I won and again we moved on. I spoke to him later about me sitting in the seat he once sat in for 18 years, and he stated the world was moving on, and I was just what the seat needed. Not sure what he meant by that and I will give him the benefit of the doubt it was a compliment.
Did we always agree? No, and as he would say, if we did someone is being a bit disingenuous. I have many mentors and Jim Hill is one.
I have truly believed that we all have good and bad traits within us. I have always tried to take the good from everyone I have met and tossed the bad……that is what is in my toolbox. I believe I am a composite of everyone I have ever known. Yes, I carry the good of my friend and Brother James Hill within me, and it has served others and me well.
It is said that a person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath on this earth and the second time is when the last person alive that actually knew them, mutters their name for the last time. Jim Hill will be remembered fondly and for many years to come.
Ricky
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