Secret service agent who protected JFK dies aged 93
- Clint Hill, the U.S. Secret Service agent whose courageous response during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was captured in one of history’s most memorable images, has died at the age of 93. Hill, whose heroism became synonymous with the tragedy in Dallas, passed away at his California home on Friday, according to an official statement released by his publicist. No cause of death has been disclosed, though it was confirmed that his wife was by his side when he passed.
Hill’s role in the Kennedy assassination became forever immortalized in photographs and the historic Zapruder film, an amateur video that recorded the dramatic events of November 22, 1963. Assigned specifically to protect First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Hill was riding in a car behind the presidential limousine through Dealey Plaza when gunfire erupted. Without hesitation, he leapt from his position and raced toward the president’s car, climbing onto the rear as additional shots rang out.
Hill’s rapid and courageous actions provided one of the most enduring images from that day, symbolizing both bravery and tragic helplessness. In recognition of his bravery, he later received an award and rose through the ranks of the Secret Service, eventually becoming its assistant director.
Born in North Dakota, Hill had served in the United States Army prior to joining the Secret Service in 1958. Despite his distinguished career, Hill struggled profoundly with the psychological aftermath of Kennedy’s assassination. Haunted by guilt and believing he had failed to save the president’s life, he retired early from the agency in 1975 at the age of just 43.
In a poignant interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes shortly after his retirement, Hill openly expressed feelings of intense guilt and responsibility for Kennedy’s death. He revealed that if he had acted even half a second faster, he believed he might have been able to take the fatal shot himself, sparing the president’s life. Hill acknowledged that he would have gladly sacrificed his own life in place of Kennedy’s, a sentiment that underscored the emotional burden he carried for decades.
Over time, Hill gradually came to terms with the reality of that day in Dallas. He revisited the site multiple times and eventually acknowledged in documentaries and interviews that, realistically, he could not have changed the outcome of that tragic event. These reflections became a part of his journey toward emotional healing.
In 2009, Hill met journalist Lisa McCubbin, who encouraged him to share his unique perspective through writing. Their collaboration produced the bestselling memoir Mrs. Kennedy and Me, which detailed his experiences protecting Jacqueline Kennedy. This success sparked a series of books that further documented his life and career. Their professional partnership eventually blossomed into a personal relationship, and the couple married in 2021.
The news of Hill’s death brings renewed attention to a figure who, for generations, symbolized both heroism and humanity amid one of America’s darkest days. His life remains a testament to dedication, sacrifice, and the profound emotional toll borne by those tasked with protecting leaders at moments of historic consequence.