Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill, convicted Wednesday following a federal civil rights trial, has long been known for his colorful antics. A fan of super hero gear and nomenclature, he once dubbed his patrol car the “Black Phantom” and christened the cafeteria in the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office the “Sheriff’s Batcave Café.” The Clayton County jail under his watch has been called “The Hill-ton” in official news releases; Hill has called it “Georgia’s toughest para-military jail.”
He’s deputized NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, pro wrestler Ric Flair and actor Samuel L. Jackson and has handed out badges to plenty of non-celebrities, too. Children, including babies, and even dogs and cats have been among his honorees. In a social media post showing him in Wild West attire, Hill once announced he’d been inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall Of Fame.
His robust social media accounts boast images of him posing with prominent figures like Robert De Niro, Lou Gossett Jr. and Dick Gregory.
“Let’s recruit all of our children before the gangs do!” Hill has often extolled in handing out badges to young residents. He’s also used the honorary designation to show appreciation.
“A waitress after rendering excellent customer service to “THE CRIME FIGHTER” was deputized with a lapel pin and now wears the gold star badge of Clayton’s Top Cop!” Hill posted in February 2021.
A dog named Polo and a cat named Akira have been named honorary deputies, too.
“History was made today when Akira became the first cat known to man to be deputized as an Honorary Feline Deputy!,” Hill said in a vividly worded post in 2020. “After deputizing numerous dogs to be Honorary K-9s, the Sheriff’s Office began receiving concerns from cat lovers inquiring why their cats could not be deputized as well. Some even threaten to file EEOC complaints. Never to disappoint the citizens he swore to protect, the Sheriff authorized us by the power invested to him from the great state of Georgia to add felines to his crime-fighting team! As a result, Akira was sworn in and now wears the gold star badge of Clayton County’s Top Cop better known as “THE CRIME FIGHTER.”
Flair was deputized with a bit less fanfare.
“Honored to be sworn in today as an Honorary Deputy by Sheriff Victor Hill!” Flair said in a 2016 social media post.
Credit: Greg Bluestein
Credit: Greg Bluestein
In 2015, Hill posed with actor Samuel L. Jackson for a photo. Jackson later joined the honorary force.
“Samuel L. Jackson received a Birthday surprise today on his 69th Birthday when “THE CRIME FIGHTER” swore him in as an Honorary Deputy!” Hill posted.
Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office
Hill has also posted clips of his morning meditation routine, joined by a friendly neighborhood swan.
With the trial approaching, Hill once again turned to social media, posting a photo of himself with boxing great Evander Holyfield. The champ’s hand rested on Hill’s shoulder, while the Crime Fighter held a glove in one hand and made a fist with the other.
“The fight is on,” he posted.
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