Officer Hezekiah E. Hires

Hezekiah E. Hires

Officer Hezekiah Hires was shot and killed after responding to assist another officer in making an arrest at 428 Bridge Street (present-day Broad Street) in Jacksonville.

At 2:30 a.m., an officer was attempting to close down a bar that was operating after hours. When the owner refused to close down the establishment, the officer tried to arrest him. During the struggle, the owner's son fired at the officer, hitting his face and hand. The officer drew his weapon and returned fire, striking the owner and the owner's wife. The son fled the scene and hid. Officer Hires came to assist the officer after hearing gunfire. The son exited his hiding spot and shot Officer Hires in the back of the head at close range.

The suspect was arrested, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to life in prison. However, he was released prior to serving seven years.

Officer Hires was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Jacksonville Police Department for 10 months. He was survived by his father, two brothers, and a sister.

He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.