Outside the Liberty Stop N Go on Stateline, Gary Hill made a choice that cost him his life but showcased his character.
Hill, remembered as a loving husband, father, veteran and good Samaritan, died while trying to help others.
Gary Hill’s life was marked by service. His brother, Ed Doak, explained, “My mom was a single mom, that’s just the way she raised us, that we helped others where we could.”
Hill served his country aboard the Coral Sea aircraft carrier. He was a father of three and had been a widower since his wife died of cancer a few years ago. “He missed her very much,” shared his brother.
Hill was temporarily in the Stateline area, deciding where to move next. While there, he became a regular at the Liberty Stop N Go, where Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Howard noted, “Not only did we lose a valued member of our community, we lost a hero.”
The store owner recounted the events leading to Hill’s death. A shooter, after crashing a motorcycle, began harassing people at the pump. Following multiple failed carjackings, he attempted another on a family. Hill intervened, drawing his weapon and reportedly telling the man to “put the gun down.” The Sheriff’s office confirmed, “What he was doing was trying to intervene – he was being a good Samaritan.”
Tragically, the suspect fired on Hill, who passed away shortly after. Yet, Hill’s actions successfully prevented the carjacking of the family. After Hill was shot, another man was forced out of his vehicle by the suspect.
Ed Doak described Hill’s nature, saying, “It was in his character… even without a gun, he would have helped.”
Hill’s decision to intervene exemplified the type of man he was, as Doak added, “If he could help anyone he would have.” Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the shooting. The Kootenai Sheriff’s Office has scheduled information-sharing meetings for later this week.
