CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Retired Charleston Police Captain Jerry Hill died early Monday morning, according to Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster.
Hill, 54, a native of eastern Kanawha County, died about a week after being hospitalized for a medical crisis, Webster said.
Black ribbons were placed on city hall Monday morning.
Following his city police retirement in 2013 after 27 years as a city police officer, Hill returned to the city to work as director of public grounds for Charleston Mayor Danny Jones.
Hill had a very balanced approach to law enforcement, Jones said.
“As a police officer he had the perfect disposition and I mean perfect,” Jones said Monday during his 580-Live talk show on 580-WCHS. “Jerry was well-seasoned, well thought of, perfect temperament, did not get too excited but would go anywhere to protect the public or his fellow police officers.”
Jones said those in the department and throughout the city are mourning Hill’s death.
“I don’t think he had an enemy in the police department at all or in the city of Charleston. And just a week ago Friday he was in one of my staff meetings and I’m just heart-broken that he’s gone,” Jones said.
Hill was a graduate of East Bank High School. He and his wife Debbie are longtime residents of Chesapeake. Hill’s son, Jonathan, is a current member of the Charleston Police Department.
Hill’s positions in the police department over the years included time as special events coordinator, head of the department’s traffic division and a member of the motorcycle patrol, Chief Webster said.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.