-Compiled and edited by Shawn Nowlin
Who is LeMajor Hill?
I am a family man who enjoys spending time with my loved ones and meeting new people. I have been married for 31 years to my wife Dr. Melinda Hill, and we have three wonderful children – ages 27, 21 and 20. I enjoy helping people better themselves. I also volunteer with several local organizations by giving my time and donating financially where I can.
Where were you born and raised? What was your upbringing like?
I was born and raised in Roanoke, and raised by my parents Major (deceased) and Phyllis Hill. I am a ‘70s baby and I grew up outside. I vividly remember playing all day until the street lights came on. My upbringing consisted of no cell phones, no video games, no remote controls. We played sports, rode our bikes and said yes ma’am and no ma’am. I would say that my upbringing was great.
After high school, what was the next chapter of your life?
I held various jobs before starting my career at the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office in 1995. I spent 25 years there as a Deputy Sheriff, during which I took on many roles. I served as a court bailiff, worked in the D.A.R.E. program and was eventually promoted through the ranks to Sergeant and then Lieutenant.
I concluded my time at the Sheriff’s Office in 2020 as the Assistant Commander of the Service Division. After retiring, I worked as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for both the Roanoke Police Department and the Salem Police Department. Currently, I’m an Investigator with the Salem Police Department and Maxwell Lead Certified Team Speaker and Trainer.
What is your official title and what do your responsibilities consist of?
I’m a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. My work focuses on helping current and emerging leaders grow their influence by making high-integrity decisions, managing emotions under pressure and leading from what John Maxwell calls the “High Road.” Alongside my wife, we’re building a leadership development business that supports public servants, law enforcement and everyday leaders with tools to thrive in life and at work.
How important is family to you?
Family is the foundation. Everything I do begins and ends with family. I’m proud to have played a key role in helping create Marriage 360: The Corporate Blueprint for Marriage Success. My wife has developed a phenomenal program for high-performing couples, and we’re not just co-creators – we’re the first partakers. We practice what we preach. Our relationship has been both the testing ground and the testimony, and our mission is to help other couples grow stronger together in purpose and partnership.
We’re also proud parents. Our oldest son recently celebrated five years of marriage and graduated from Liberty University with his master’s in leadership. Our daughter Moriah just earned her bachelor’s degree from Hollins University, where she played for four years on the basketball team and served as a resident advisor. She was recently named Assistant JV Coach at Salem High School.
And our youngest, Bryson, just wrapped up his sophomore season on the Roanoke College track team. He helped set the school and ODAC record in the 4×100 relay and was named All-ODAC, All-Region and All-State.
They make us proud every day, and they’re a big part of why we lead with legacy in mind.
If you were building the ultimate music playlist for a six-hour road trip, which artists would be on it?
My playlist would be a mix of soul, inspiration and a little throwback grit. You’d hear artists like Michael Jackson, Kool and the Gang, Marvin Gaye, Kirk Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Lecrae, and maybe some classic Isley Brothers. Music that makes you think, feel, and move – that’s the road trip vibe.
How would you describe your relationship with the City of Roanoke?
Roanoke is more than where I live – it’s where I’ve led, served and grown.
I’ve had the honor of serving this city in uniform, and now I’m serving from a leadership perspective. My connection to Roanoke runs deep, and I’m committed to its future.
Looking ahead, I have a strong desire to support the next generation of law enforcement – not just in tactics, but in leadership. I believe we need emotionally intelligent officers who lead with self-awareness, empathy, transparency and sound judgment. These pillars are the future of community-centered policing, and I hope to be part of the team helping shape that future.
Outside of your profession, what do your hobbies consist of?
I enjoy staying active – basketball is still my go-to. I also like grilling, pickleball, golfing, listening to audiobooks and spending quiet time outdoors. I volunteer at William Fleming High School as a baseball coach and honestly, I’m always reflecting. I’m a student of life, leadership, and legacy, so even my downtime tends to feed back into my purpose.
Which people have had the biggest impact on your life outside of your family?
My mentors in law enforcement and leadership have made a lasting mark – men and women who led with both courage and compassion. John Maxwell has also been a major influence, not just through his books, but through the principles he lives by. They helped shape how I lead today.
If you could go back and give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
I’d say: “It’s okay to lead differently. Stand firm in your values, don’t shrink from the silence, and don’t be afraid to rise in rooms where you used to feel invisible. Your integrity will carry you further than your title ever will.”
