Photos: In the Giant Center, law enforcement remembers Chris Hill
Family, friends and law enforcement colleagues of slain Deputy US Marshal Christopher Hill, as well as members of the community, pay tribute to the hero during memorial services Thursday, January 25, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
(Hershey) — The same words used to describe Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher Hill came up over and over during a more than two-hour memorial to remember the fallen law enforcement officer at the Giant Center in Hershey — devoted family man, leader, the best of the best.
Thousands of law enforcement personnel from across the country joined friends, family and members of the public to honor the memory of the 45-year-old veteran — including Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, members of the elite Marshals Service Special Operations Group, and U.S. Army Rangers.
Hill, who lived in York County, leaves behind a wife and two children.
His flag-draped casket was carried to the stage, where a solemn military battle cross consisting of a helmet, rifle and boots stood. Memorial wreaths from several law enforcement organizations line the front of the platform.
The veteran law enforcement officer was killed Thursday, January 18th, while serving a warrant in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood. Of the nine-member team taking part in the operation York Officer Kyle Pitts was wounded and Harrisburg Officer Jeff Cook was hit in his ballistic vest, but not injured. The Marshal Service fugitive task force was taking the target of the warrant, Shayla Pierce, into custody, when 31-year-old Kevin Sturgis opened fire. He ws then shot and killed by other members of the team.
All eight team members were in attendance.
Hill was the first U.S. Marshal killed in the line of duty in Pennsylvania since 1851.
At the request of the family, journalists were not allowed inside the arena to view the public gathering, but photos were provided by the Marshals Service. So, here are some scenes from the moving service:
A State Police Honor Guard carries Christopher Hill’s casket out of the funeral home before proceeding to the Giant Center. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
The funeral procession (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
The funeral procession (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
An armored law enforcement vehicle transported Hill’s body to the Giant Center (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
From inside the the Special Operations Group’s tactical vehicle as DUSM Chris Hill is transported to his funeral. (Photo courtesy of Special Operations Group / US Marshals)
A State Police Honor Guard stands by Christopher Hill’s casket. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
A military battlecross sits in the front of the state at the Giant Center, in honor of Deputy U.S. Marshal Christopher Hill’s military service. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
United States Marshal Martin J. Pane, Christopher Hill’s supervisor, addressed the crowd. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein addressed the crowd. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
The U.S. Marshal honor band. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
State Police Honor Guard folds the U.S. flag that draped Hill’s coffin. (Photo courtesy of Shane T. McCoy / US Marshals)
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
