Volunteers take part within the clear up of Charles W. Hill Park March 22, the thirty sixth anniversary of Officer Corporal Hill’s loss of life within the line of obligation.
Members of the Alexandria Police Division descended on Del Ray March 22 for the annual Charles W. Hill Park clear up in reminiscence of Hill, the final APD officer to be killed within the line of obligation.
“Historical past issues,” mentioned APD Lt Jason Story. “Remembering days like March 22, 1989, is essential. It’s about honoring Corporal Hill and honoring his household.”
March 22, 1989, started as a routine workday for Hill and his household. A member of the Particular Operations Staff with the APD, Hill was dwelling early taking part in along with his two sons when he was referred to as to answer a hostage state of affairs in Outdated City. Throughout the standoff, Hill was fatally shot, turning into the final APD officer to be killed within the line of obligation.
Thirty-six years later, members of the legislation enforcement group turned out for the annual clear up and beautification of the Del Ray park named in Hill’s reminiscence.
“Charlie was killed on March 22, 1989, within the line of obligation saving hostages,” Story mentioned. “We’re right here to recollect him, his sacrifice and the household’s sacrifice.”
A 13-year-member of the Alexandria police power, Hill was killed when 34-year-old Jamie Sensible had taken a number of hostages within the 300 block of Hopkins Court docket to gather on a drug debt.
After a five-hour standoff, Sensible emerged with a sawed-off shotgun pointed on the head of a teenage hostage. A police sharpshooter shot Sensible however not earlier than he was in a position to hearth off two rounds. One fatally wounded Hill and the opposite severely injured Hill’s accomplice, officer Andrew Chelchowski.
Only one month earlier, Hill had celebrated his fortieth birthday. In 1993, Chelchowski, Hill’s accomplice that day, died of suicide after affected by PTSD from the incident 4 years earlier.
Becoming a member of the APD officers have been pupil volunteers from Episcopal Excessive College.
“We needed to be right here to do one thing constructive in the neighborhood and to be taught in regards to the service of Officer Hill,” mentioned EHS pupil William Jacoby.
Added Story, “Many retirees are right here as a result of they lived by it. It’s about protecting alive Corporal Hill’s reminiscence and sacrifice.”
APD officers take heed to the story of the occasions resulting in the loss of life of Corporal Charles Hill within the line of obligation March 22, 1989.
