URBANA POLICE DIVISION HISTORICAL SECTION

David L. Hill, 1868-1942

“Black Legacy”
NOTED AFRO-AMERCIANS FROM CHAMPAIGN COUNTY OHIO: DAVID L. “BUS” HILL
David Leander Hill was born 18 Jan. 1868 in Urbana, Ohio the son of Samuel and Effie G. Morris Hill.  Effie was the daughter of John Moss and Mary Chavers.  (The reason for the name change to Morris is unknown).  He married Keren Wilson Andrews, March 4, 1889 in Urbana, Ohio and had the following children: Vivian, Leona, Charles, Rovilla, Alberta, Marjory Edna, and Eva.
    
When David was a young boy he was a drummer with the Sells Brothers Circus and later became a lead tenor with the Fiske Jubilee Singers. 
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David Hill began working for the Urbana Police Division in 1899 and retired as a Sergeant 1 Jan. 1939 with 40 years of faithful service.  It’s believed that he was the first African American Policeman hired by the City of Urbana and was the first local officer to be retired on a pension.  “Bus” was honored with a dinner at Milner’s when he retired and was presented with a handsome easy chair.  This testimonial dinner was attended by members of the City Council, and city officials.  He was praised as one of the best police officers in the State of Ohio.  (The newspaper article about his retirement appeared in the Urbana paper 13 June 1939).  Upon his retirement “Bus” Hill stated, “In retiring I will not be with you in your work, but in spirit I will never leave you.  I have tried to do my duty as I saw fit.  If I failed it was an error of the head and not the heart.”

David “Bus” Hill died 12 Apr. 1942 at his home on Hill Street and is buried in Oak Dale Cemetery.

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1972 Urbana Police Department

Front (l-r):Sgt. Richard Davis, Lt. Robert Caccia, Lt. Charles Greene, Lt. Jack Holland, Chief Bill Lingrell, Ptlm. Pat Gleason, Ptlm. Keith Millage & Sgt. Robert Wilson Middle (l-r): Sgt. Bob Bidwell, Ptlm. Don Richardson, Ptlm. Bob Fox, Aux. Ptlm. Don Dunlap, Ptlm. Roger Curnutte & Ptlm. Clyde Burnett. Back: Ptlm. Bill Wiatt

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1950 Urbana Police Department

(l-r) Herbert Bowser, Mason “Jake” Nesbit, Glenn Sloan, unknown, Chief James McGraw, F. Douglas Storts, Bill Pendleton, Antonio Asterino & unknown.

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Late 1940’s Urbana Police Department

(l-r) Chief John McGraw, unknown, Jake Nesbit, Doug Storts, Herb Bowser, Bill Pendleton & unknown

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The information presented on this page has been presented as factual as possible.  If anyone can identify any of the officers listed as unknown, please forward the information to Chief Matt Lingrell at [email protected]