Staff Sgt. Jacob Hill — a 30-year-old Alabama National Guardsman deployed to Washington, D.C. — is being remembered by loved ones as kind, curious, and nearly “Superman-like” in the way he cared for those around him. Hill died on Nov. 13 after suffering a medical emergency at a Virginia hotel where his unit was staying.
Hill’s father, James, said his son’s protective nature showed up early. For Jacob’s 9th or 10th birthday, he recalled his son playing “soldiers” in the backyard when his younger sister asked to join. Jacob assured his parents: “Don’t worry, I’m gonna take care of her.” That, James said, was simply who he was.
Hill, one of nearly 200 Alabama National Guard soldiers mobilized to D.C. at President Donald Trump’s direction this summer, became the first known Guardsman to die while assigned to the mission. National Guard officials said the incident was “non-duty-related,” and the family is still awaiting a medical examiner’s report.
Hill leaves behind his wife, Autumn, and their two daughters, Oaklin, 9, and Ella, 10.
Last week, the Army held a memorial service for the family in Virginia. A funeral with military honors is planned in Alabama in early December.
A humble, driven, and endlessly curious “genius”
Family members described Hill as grounded, selfless, and always ready to help. His mother, Sharay Gay, called him “super respectful,” “born with an old soul,” and “almost like Superman” — especially in the way he supported his daughters and helped raise his two nephews.
Hill grew up in the tight-knit towns of Sylacauga and Alexander City, Alabama. Outside his National Guard service, he worked as an electronics technician at a local hospital and previously served with the Sylacauga Fire Department.
He also carried the nickname “Bobby,” a name accidentally assigned to him on a factory uniform at a Honda plant. Colleagues joked it matched the cartoon character Bobby Hill from King of the Hill — and the name stuck.
His younger sister, Breanna Manley, remembered him as a “quirky character” with a mix of passions. His stepmother, Amy Hill, recalled asking him once what he wanted to be when he grew up. His answer: “A genius.” He devoured books, constantly researching topics simply because he wanted to understand them.
Manley still laughs about the day Jacob fell into a storm grate while walking home because he was so immersed in a new Harry Potter book. She had to run home to get help — she was only in third grade at the time.
A calling to serve
Hill grew up in a family with deep military roots. His grandfather served in the Army, and relatives across multiple branches inspired Jacob’s early dream of joining. He enlisted just days after graduating high school and spent 13 years in the Guard.
Hill trained at Fort Leonard Wood and served as a squad leader in the 1166th Military Police Company during the D.C. mission. He previously deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, Botswana, and the U.S.–Mexico border.
“He always had that discipline,” Manley said. “Sports taught him resilience, and serving his country was always something he loved.”
Hill spent his last day at home in late September on the family’s annual trip to a pumpkin patch. He couldn’t share many details about the upcoming deployment, Manley said, but they knew he wouldn’t be home for Thanksgiving.
Before every deployment, Hill followed two rituals: he helped his father clean the gutters, and he made James promise to look after his daughters if something ever happened.
“They were his whole world,” James said.
Manley added, “He wasn’t worried about himself. He was worried about the girls and what they’d go through if he didn’t come back.” After so many overseas deployments, she said, “You never think the one in the States is the one that’s gonna destroy us.”
