Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent famously known for his heroic actions during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, passed away on Friday at the age of 93 at his home in Belvedere, California. Hill’s death was announced by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, where the former agent had collaborated on several books about his career. His wife, Lisa McCubbin Hill, a journalist and co-author of some of these books, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, reflecting on their deep and abiding love. She described their relationship as “once-in-a-lifetime love that everyone hopes for” and expressed her gratitude for the 15 years they spent together. Her post concluded with a touching farewell: “Rest in Peace, my Sweet Prince.” Clint Hill’s life was defined by his service, his courage, and the enduring legacy of that fateful day in Dallas.
On November 22, 1963, Clint Hill became an indelible part of American history. Assigned to protect First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy on the day of President Kennedy’s assassination, Hill was riding in a Secret Service car behind the presidential limousine in the Dallas motorcade. When the shots rang out, Hill, with incredible quickness, leaped from his vehicle onto the moving limousine, grabbing hold of the trunk handle and pulling himself aboard. The now-iconic Zapruder footage captures this moment in vivid detail, showing Hill forcing Jacqueline Kennedy, who had crawled onto the trunk in shock, back into her seat as the car sped away from the scene. His actions that day were widely commended, yet Hill would carry a deep sense of guilt and responsibility for the rest of his life, often wondering if he could have acted faster to prevent the tragedy.
Clint Hill’s career in the Secret Service was marked by both distinction and strain. After the assassination, he was promoted to lead the White House protective detail, a position that placed him at the pinnacle of the agency’s operations. However, the weight of that day haunted him, and he retired from the Secret Service in 1975 at the age of 43. In a 1975 interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes, Hill expressed his lifelong regret: “If I had reacted just a little bit quicker. And I could have, I guess. And I’ll live with that to my grave.” These words spoke to the profound emotional burden he carried, a sense of “what if” that never fully left him. Despite his bravery, Hill could not shake the feeling that he had somehow failed in his duty to protect the president.
Born in 1932 in Washburn, North Dakota, Clint Hill grew up in a small town and developed a strong work ethic from an early age. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and served in the U.S. Army before joining the Secret Service in 1958. His career began in the agency’s Denver office, where he worked for about a year before being selected for the elite detail tasked with protecting the president and the First Family. This assignment placed him at the center of one of the most tumultuous and transformative periods in American history. Hill’s dedication to his work was unwavering, but the events of November 22, 1963, would forever alter the trajectory of his life.
In retirement, Clint Hill found solace in sharing his stories and experiences through writing. He co-authored several books with his wife, Lisa, including The Kennedy Detail: JFK’s Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence, which was published in 2012. The couple met while working on this project, and their collaboration blossomed into a romance that led to their marriage in 2021. In addition to his writing, Hill became a sought-after speaker, sharing his insights on leadership, duty, and the challenges of protecting high-profile figures. His contributions were recognized in 2018 when he received North Dakota’s highest civilian honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, a testament to his enduring legacy as a public servant.
Clint Hill’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes and reflections on his life. While he will always be remembered for his actions on the day of President Kennedy’s assassination, his story extends far beyond that single moment. He was a man of profound integrity, haunted by the past yet compelled to share its lessons with the world. Through his books and public appearances, Hill sought to humanize the agents who serve behind the scenes, often at great personal cost, to protect the leaders of the free world. His life was a testament to duty, courage, and the enduring power of love and partnership. As his wife so eloquently put it, he will forever rest in peace as her “Sweet Prince,” a man whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
