On March 22, 1989, a routine day for Corporal Charles William Hill, a 40-year-old male officer with the Alexandria Police Department, took a tragic turn. A member of the Special Operations Team, he was at home with his two sons when he was called to a hostage situation unfolding at 316 Hopkins Court in Old Town Alexandria. A drug dealer from New York City, identified as 34-year-old Jamie Wise, had taken several people hostage in an attempt to collect on a drug debt.
The situation escalated into a tense five-hour standoff. Wise eventually emerged from the residence, holding a teenage hostage at gunpoint with a sawed-off shotgun. In a critical moment, a police sniper fired at Wise, striking him in the heart. However, before succumbing to his wound, Wise was able to discharge his weapon twice. One of the rounds fatally struck Corporal Hill, and the other severely injured his partner, Officer Andrew Chelchowski.
Corporal Hill, a 13-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department who had previously served with the New York City Police Department, died in the line of duty, leaving behind his wife and two sons. The suspect, Jamie Wise, was killed at the scene and therefore no arrests were made in connection with Corporal Hill's death. The tragic event also had a lasting impact on his partner, Officer Chelchowski, who, after battling with the stress from the incident, died by suicide in 1993. Corporal Hill is remembered as the last Alexandria Police Department officer to be killed in the line of duty.
