The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) was hit by tragedy twice on Friday after two officers died in two separate, nonviolent circumstances—one at home and one on duty.
Ms. Hill, a 24-year veteran of the PPD, was found unconscious in her car around 9 p.m, police said. Ms. Hill was working on an overtime assignment on 1800 block of South Christopher Columbus Boulevard in the parking lot of the T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods stores.
Witnesses called 911 who performed CPR at the scene but the officer remained unresponsive.
Ms. Hill was then taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw in a press statement Friday night around 11 p.m. Ms. Hill was 44.
Police officials said they are not releasing Ms. Hill’s photograph, and that the cause of death has not been determined, although it is presumed that Ms. Hill suffered a medical emergency.
“I can tell you that this officer has been, for quite some time, part of the PPD family for at least 24 years,” said a visibly shaken Ms. Outlaw. “As you can see behind me, there are a lot of officers here that are not only here in support, but they’re here grieving.”
Ms. Outlaw told the press she had spoken to the deceased’s husband—also a police officer in the police department—and other family members.
“I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about her dedication and her commitment to the police department over the years,” the commissioner added.
As the Philadelphia Fire Department ambulance that transported Ms. Hill to the hospital then took her body to the Medical Examiner’s Office, the ambulance was escorted by Highway Patrol motorcycles, followed by a long procession of police vehicles with their lights on.
A police helicopter accompanied the procession overhead as the officer's body was taken to the medical examiner's office.
Many offered their condolences on social media.
“Our hearts and prayers for this officer and her family, It breaks my heart every time I hear of an officer losing their life,” one person commented. “Lord watch over the brave men and women of law enforcement.”
According to its website, the Philadelphia Police Department is the U.S.’s fourth largest police department, with over 6,300 sworn officers and 800 civilian personnel, serving a 140 square-mile area of roughly 1.5 million people.