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Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025
Outside the box.
Clint Hill, Notable Secret Service Agent, Passes Away at 93
The agent famously known for his actions during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has died in California.
Clint Hill, the United States Secret Service agent who became known for his heroic actions during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, has died at the age of 93. According to a statement from his publisher, Mr. Hill passed away at his home in Belvedere, California, although the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Mr. Hill was assigned to protect First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy on November 22, 1963, when tragedy struck in Dallas, Texas.
Captured in the infamous Abraham Zapruder film, Mr. Hill leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine in an effort to shield Mrs. Kennedy after shots were fired.
The images of his actions remain among the most enduring remembrances of that fateful day.
Throughout his career, Mr. Hill received several Secret Service awards for his valiant conduct during the assassination attempt.
Despite these recognitions, he struggled with guilt over his perceived inability to protect the president in those critical moments.
In a 1975 interview with journalist Mike Wallace, Mr. Hill expressed his regret, stating, "If I had reacted just a little bit quicker...I'll live with that to my grave."
On the day of the assassination, Mr. Hill was stationed on the left running board of the follow-up car directly behind the presidential vehicle.
After hearing gunfire and witnessing President Kennedy slump forward, he reacted, but was unable to prevent the fatal shot that struck the president.
The Zapruder film captured the tense moment as Mr. Hill quickly exited the Secret Service vehicle, climbed onto the trunk of the limousine, and assisted Mrs. Kennedy, who had crawled onto the back, urging her to return to her seat as the vehicle sped away.
Following the assassination, Mr. Hill served as the agent in charge of the White House protective detail and rose to the position of assistant director of the Secret Service.
However, he was forced to retire early due to the profound psychological impact of the events he witnessed that day, describing his experiences as leading to deep depression and recurring memories of the assassination.
In popular culture, Mr. Hill's experiences were partially depicted in the 1993 Clint Eastwood film "In The Line Of Fire," which centers on a former Secret Service agent affected by the assassination of Kennedy.
His contributions to the agency and his firsthand perspective of one of the most significant events in American history have left an indelible mark.
Mr. Hill was assigned to protect First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy on November 22, 1963, when tragedy struck in Dallas, Texas.
Captured in the infamous Abraham Zapruder film, Mr. Hill leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine in an effort to shield Mrs. Kennedy after shots were fired.
The images of his actions remain among the most enduring remembrances of that fateful day.
Throughout his career, Mr. Hill received several Secret Service awards for his valiant conduct during the assassination attempt.
Despite these recognitions, he struggled with guilt over his perceived inability to protect the president in those critical moments.
In a 1975 interview with journalist Mike Wallace, Mr. Hill expressed his regret, stating, "If I had reacted just a little bit quicker...I'll live with that to my grave."
On the day of the assassination, Mr. Hill was stationed on the left running board of the follow-up car directly behind the presidential vehicle.
After hearing gunfire and witnessing President Kennedy slump forward, he reacted, but was unable to prevent the fatal shot that struck the president.
The Zapruder film captured the tense moment as Mr. Hill quickly exited the Secret Service vehicle, climbed onto the trunk of the limousine, and assisted Mrs. Kennedy, who had crawled onto the back, urging her to return to her seat as the vehicle sped away.
Following the assassination, Mr. Hill served as the agent in charge of the White House protective detail and rose to the position of assistant director of the Secret Service.
However, he was forced to retire early due to the profound psychological impact of the events he witnessed that day, describing his experiences as leading to deep depression and recurring memories of the assassination.
In popular culture, Mr. Hill's experiences were partially depicted in the 1993 Clint Eastwood film "In The Line Of Fire," which centers on a former Secret Service agent affected by the assassination of Kennedy.
His contributions to the agency and his firsthand perspective of one of the most significant events in American history have left an indelible mark.
