We’re saddened to share the passing of Chaplain Emeritus Roland Hill—a kind-hearted servant and trusted mentor whose impact will be felt for years to come.
Chaplain Hill graduated from Baylor University in 1957 and earned his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1962. He was ordained by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1960 and went on to serve as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church Pasadena, a role he held for 31 years.
In 1975, he took on another calling—serving as a police chaplain. For 35 years, until his retirement in 2010, he stood alongside our officers and their families. He offered them guidance, comfort, and spiritual care during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Above all else, Chaplain Hill had a genuine love for people. He never thought twice about sitting with someone in pain, listening with compassion, or simply being there when there was nothing to say. He saw it as an honor to walk with others through grief, loss, and uncertainty, always showing up with quiet strength, compassion, and prayer.
His ministry spanned over five decades and was marked by humility, wisdom, and a steady devotion to others. Chaplain Hill didn’t seek attention—he simply showed up, over and over again, with a servant’s heart.
We’re grateful for his many years of service, and we’ll carry his example with us. He made a difference in so many lives, and people like him aren’t easily forgotten—his kindness and steady presence will stick with us.
