Lawmaker honors slain Sheriff William Hilton during Senate remarks

A lawmaker addressed the Senate chamber to honor Sheriff William Earl Hilton, who was "tragically killed Monday," and asked colleagues to observe a moment of silence.

The speaker said Hilton was "a sheriff in every positive, meaningful sense of the word," calling him steady, committed and devoted to public service. The lawmaker noted Hilton retired in 2008, returned at his community's request to serve two additional terms, and retired permanently in 2020 after a 50-year career in law enforcement.

The remarks placed Hilton's career and family at the center of the tribute. The lawmaker named Hilton's wife, Billie, his children, Shane and Christie, and his grandson, Slade, and said the family supported him through long, often seven-day work weeks.

Quoting Hilton's deputy and mentee, identified in the remarks as Sheriff Wood, the lawmaker said, "I talked to him almost every day. If I had any questions, who else could I ask but him?" The speaker used that quote to underscore Hilton's role as a mentor and a daily confidant for fellow officers.

The lawmaker also recounted an episode after the 2016 Baton Rouge ambush that killed four officers, saying he and Hilton attended a ceremony to honor a fallen colleague. The speaker said Hilton once told him, "When you're fighting crime, it's like mowing the grass. You never stop. You just keep on going," a line the lawmaker used to characterize Hilton's realism and dedication to the job.

The lawmaker concluded by asking the chamber to observe a moment of silence in Hilton's memory. The presiding officer granted the request with "Without objection," and the chamber paused before proceeding.

The remarks were delivered as a tribute and did not include any formal motions or votes.