DETROIT, March 1 (UPI) -- Gil Hill, the real life police officer who played Eddie Murphy's boss in Beverly Hills Cop has died at the age of 84.
Hill's family confirmed his passing Monday after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The actor was admitted to the DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, Mich. on Feb. 17 for pneumonia, Deadline Detroit reported.
"The Family of Gilbert "Gil" Hill is deeply saddened to inform the public that Gil passed away today and joined the ancestors in the land of glory," his family said in a statement.
"As many of you know, Gil had been recently hospitalized and was on the road to recovery. We are relieved that his passing was peaceful and painless... We asked that you pray for the family and respect our privacy during this very difficult time."
Hill, a Detroit police officer, was famous for starring as no-nonsense police Inspector Douglas Todd alongside Murphy's wisecracking detective Axel Foley in the 1984 box-office hit, Beverly Hills Cop and its two sequels in 1987 and 1994.
Hill retired as a police commander and was elected to City Council in 1989 before unsuccessfully running for Mayor in 2001.
He is survived by his three children, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
