By Rich Dupree

It wasn’t supposed to end like this. After fifty years of service in law enforcement, the life of retired Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton would end in an apparent hit and run incident at his home in Hineston, Louisiana on Monday.

The outpouring of love, prayers and condolences for the family of Sheriff Hilton, speaks to the legacy of service the man known by many as William Earl, leaves behind not just to the citizens of Rapides Parish, but across the State of Louisiana.

When William Earl Hilton retired for the second time in 2020, he completed 50 years of service in the field of law enforcement. Hilton was first elected Sheriff in 1992. He would serve four terms before retiring the first time in 2008. However, four years later, he would answer the call to return to the most powerful position in Rapides Parish and was elected Sheriff in 2012 and 2015.

A graduate of the LSU Basic Law Enforcement Academy and LSU Law Enforcement Institute, Hilton began his service in law enforcement in Rapides after six years in the La. National Guard. Hilton was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2006 – and in his last year as Sheriff, was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.

Upon announcing his second retirement in 2020 at the age of 74, Sheriff Hilton said he was retiring to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Hilton said of all the accomplishments he achieved in law enforcement, he’d like his dedication to school safety to be the highlight of his legacy. “We were one of the first, or the first department in the State, to put an officer in every school. If I’m remembered for anything, that’s what I’d like to be remembered for,” said Hilton.

Rest in Peace Sheriff Hilton. The legacy of your tenure as Rapides Parish Sheriff will be marked by long-term service, successful resolution of complex cases, leadership in youth and community programs, and state-wide recognition that leaves a long shadow of your legacy in law enforcement.