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2015 Men of the Year Honoree: Scott Hill

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Scott Hill tries to live his life with integrity.

As an officer with the Springfield Police Department, Hill’s mantra is community betterment through hard work.

An officer since 2007, Hill says God called him to the profession to help those in need and he strives to make each year of his career better than before.

“When I took the oath to protect and serve my community, I did that knowing I would be doing this as a career,” he says. “I have had death threats against me and my family. I’ve arrested countless criminals and have been part of several high-profile cases.

“I realize it takes a true leader to be able to make a career commitment to civic affairs.”

Hill’s work ethic led him to first heed the advice of those more experienced, always striving to be a better officer. As his experience grew, younger officers started seeking his advice

“I always wanted to be an officer other guys could come to whenever they were having a tough time at home and at work,” he says.

“I wanted to be the one who set the example on how to balance the work and home life.”

Using those leadership qualities, Hill was promoted to detective with the violent crimes unit in December 2012. His primary duties include follow-up investigations on a caseload of misdemeanor and felony assaults, weapon offenses, robberies and home invasions.

Hill also works closely with the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office and is a member of the homicide response team. His unit training was put to the test in July 2013.

“I was called to work to investigate a shooting where a male was shot several times while in his backyard. There were two young children present in the backyard in close proximity to their dad when he was shot,” Hill says.

Hill reports a weapon was found nearby and patrol officers located a suspect a block away. During Hill’s jailhouse interview, the suspect confessed and was convicted of the crime by jury a year later.

“From start to finish, I was proud of my investigation of this incident,” he says.

“I was proud that the suspect was held accountable for his actions and that that was strongly related to my investigation and obtaining a confession.”

True to his mantra, Hill doesn’t just strive for community betterment while on the job, but in his personal life, as well.

In July 2012, Hill met a young man dealing with substance abuse issues. Over the course of two years, Hill stayed in contact with the young man, often meeting him for lunch and mentorship, but says it was a roller coaster of improvement and regression.

“When I talked to him, I could still see hope in his eyes,” he says. “I knew he could not beat this habit on his own because that had failed him before.

“I prayed with him and made him shake my hand to promise me that he would go to treatment.”

Though his family, Hill helped the young man enter the Teen Challenge program in October 2014, where today, he is doing well and was even named student of the month.

“To this date, this is one of my proudest accomplishments,” Hill says. “To help a young man get back on track with his life and to maintain that friendship.”

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