Sheriff announces promotion

BROOKSVILLE ­- Sheriff Al Nienhuis has promoted Detective William Hillman to sergeant.

Sergeant William Hillman, left, and Sheriff Al Nienhuis. COURTESY PHOTO

A Brooksville native, Hillman will work in the District 2 patrol division in the sheriff’s office, which covers Spring Hill and western Hernando County.

Hillman has been working as a property crimes detective in the same district since last year.

Hillman started as a volunteer with the sheriff’s office in 1996 and achieved the rank of Explorer Lieutenant before accepting a full-time position in 2000 in the communications center.

Hillman became a public service aide and, after completing the law enforcement academy, was promoted to deputy sheriff.

Hillman was a patrol deputy from 2005 to 2010.

“Sergeant Hillman, from his teenage years through today, has been faithfully serving the citizens of Hernando County,” Nienhuis stated in a news release. “It gives me great pleasure to reward his dedication by giving him the greater responsibility of leading an entire squad of deputies. I know that he will use this added authority and influence to make an even bigger and more positive impact on the community he serves.”

Hillman’s wife, Dawn, is a nurse at the Hernando County Jail. The couple have five children.