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Mayor, police chief announce federal convictions in 2021 homicide; new officer sworn in
Summary
North College Hill police and the mayor announced federal convictions in a 2021 homicide, and the council held a swearing-in ceremony for Officer Gary Hill.
Chief of Police gave an update at the start of the council meeting on federal convictions connected to a 2021 homicide, and the council later held a swearing-in ceremony for a newly hired officer.
Lede: At Tuesday's North College Hill City Council meeting, the police chief said a federal grand jury returned guilty findings against three people connected to a July 2021 homicide in the North Creek Apartments parking lot; later the mayor administered the oath to Officer Gary Hill, the department's newest recruit.
Nut graf: The chief described multi-agency work that led to federal charges and convictions; the meeting also included a ceremonial swearing-in of Officer Gary Hill, who addressed the council and thanked his family and the department.
Federal convictions in 2021 homicide The police chief reported that three people were convicted in federal court in connection with the July 2021 killing of Kamar Williams in the North Creek Apartments parking lot. Two defendants accepted plea deals and cooperated; another defendant (named on the record as Mr. Benford) was convicted on multiple counts and is expected to face a long federal sentence. The chief said work with St. Bernard and the ATF contributed to obtaining federal racketeering charges and related convictions.
Swearing-in of Officer Gary Hill The mayor administered the oath to Gary Hill, who recently graduated from the OSP Police Academy in January and has begun patrol shifts with the department. Hill thanked his fiancee, daughter and family for their support and told the council he appreciated the opportunity to serve the community.
Why it matters: The convictions reflect multi-agency federal work on a violent crime that occurred in 2021; the swearing-in reflects department staffing and retention as the city continues public-safety operations.
Speakers on record included the police chief, Mayor Nichols and Officer Gary Hill; the chief provided the federal-conviction update during the administrative reports portion of the meeting, and Hill spoke briefly after his swearing-in to thank family and the department.
