Jerry I Hill

Jerry I Hill was born August 3, 1922 and passed away October 31, 2018. Born to Dosha and Selby Hill, Jerry Hill was one of three children raised on a Chickasha, Oklahoma ranch. The family endured the hard times of the Great Depression and the devastating Dust Bowl. He ultimately moved to Arizona, and was joined by his parents and his sister Gylnne. His brother Leon remained in Oklahoma.

Jerry Hill was a lawman in the truest sense of the word. He began his career as a Phoenix police officer, leaving as a lieutenant. Twice elected as Maricopa County Sheriff, he served two four-year terms from 1976 through 1984. His popularity gave him the distinction of being the only Democrat to win countywide during the Reagan sweep.

As sheriff, he was innovative in launching various posses such as air, mounted, search and rescue and diving posse. The office won national recognition for their efforts. President Ronald Reagan even paid a visit to the Sun City posse headquarters. Sheriff Hill was credited as an innovator, establishing psychiatric units in jails. During his tenure, the Towers Jail and the Bell/Dysart Substation and jail were built, and construction began on the Madison Street Jail.

The sheriff’s office was noted for its dedicated professionals, who also exuded camaraderie, a tone that was set by Sheriff Hill. He had a knack for eliciting the best from people, and also could walk the halls of the office greeting everyone from secretaries to detectives by name, asking about their families, knowing the names of their spouses and kids.

He was a proud cowboy from childhood and would tell how he never wore a pair of shoes --- a word he would say with a curled lip. His collection of handcrafted boots and Stetsons were his trademark. A sheriff who preceded Jerry Hill’s election decided that it was time to set aside the western yoked jackets and boots, which exemplified Arizona. Then-Senator Barry Goldwater came to the rescue and the shoe box with his unworn dress shoes was stored as a relic for decades.

Jerry Hill impacted many lives and maintained strong friendships with his former employees. If you were fortunate enough to have heard his fascinating stories, you were not only entertained, but taught countless lessons on a variety of subjects. He delighted in raising splendid horses, glorious roses and was once adopted by a emerald tail-feathered rooster who flew onto his property and followed close on the sheriff’s heels.

Jerry is survived by his deeply loved and devoted wife Rosina, stepdaughters Michelle Forster, and Sandra (Mike) Crawford; Heather (Clayton) Boop, Ellen Bourget and Donna Holloway and grandchildren, Jeremy and Dakota Crawford, Jackson and Aly Boop, and Tiffany Bourget, along with nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sheriff Hill’s remarkable life will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church, Friday, November 16th. The visitation will begin at 10 am, the funeral service will begin at 12 pm, and the graveside service will be held at Phoenix Memorial Park at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donations to MCSO Memorial Fund http://www.mcsomemorialfund.com/ or MCSO - MASH Unit - https://www.mcso.org/mash .