James Paul Hill

James Paul Hill, age 87 of Brainerd, passed away at his home on August 19, 2026.  Jim was born in Skowhegan, Maine on December 27,1938, the son of Bibian and Joseph Hill.

Jim attended a one room schoolhouse to start his first grade. He later, as a teen, attended school in the country of Jordan as a dependent while his father worked for the US State Department. Returning to Maine he graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1956. Jim then attended American University in Washington D.C. where and received a BS degree and one year of post graduate study. Jim started his employment career at 17 years of age with the FBI as messenger for FBI Director J. Edger Hoover, then transferred to the Identification Bureau as a fingerprint technician. He joined the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. During that time he was a fingerprint expert in court, as well as a cop/officer walking King Street on patrol in Alexandria.

Jim met his wife, Ginny, through a friend who described him as a “clc” (cute little cop) on a blind date. They were married in Fairfax, Virginia in 1962, and lived there until 1972 when they and three children moved to Fridley, MN. Jim was hired by the City of Fridley, as the Assistant City Manger/Public Safety Director. He brought to his position with the Police Department new procedures and skills, utilizing various schools for training. Jim retired from the City of Fridley in 1993.

Jim and Ginny then moved to their lake cabin in Garrison Township. After a few years in retirement, Jim was persuaded to run for Crow Wing County Commissioner which he won and served from 1996 to 2000.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joe and mother, Bibian, brothers Bruce and John and Bruce’s wife Sylvia Hill.

Jim is survived by his wife Ginny, Daughters, Kelly Ruff of Anoka Mn., Darby Hill of Brainerd, MN, and son Brian Hill (Kathy), White Bear Lake, MN, grandchildren, Danielle Sikes (Jimmy), Laynie Drews(Dan), Shelby Trebby (Mike), Jonah Marietti, Maria Marietti (Cole), Brennen Hill, Briahna Hill, White Bear Lake. Also surviving are 7 great-grandchildren, Ginni, Charli, Bodhi Sikes, Abigail and Charlotte Trebby, Miles and Coen Pelarski.

He was also survived by nieces, Patricia Caswick of Miami, FL, Deb Salewski, Saco, ME, Liz Hutchins (Roger) Canaan, ME, nephew, Michael Hill (Sheri) of Glenburn, ME.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, August 30, from 1 to 3 pm with a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby. Jim's ashes will be placed in the family cemetery in Maine in October.