Family uses obituary to send message to SW Houston pizza delivery driver's killer

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- For the first time, the family of a man shot to death after delivering a pizza speaks about their loss and the unusual obituary they wrote for him.

Paul Hillick, Jr., 55, was shot to death March 17. he had just made his last delivery for the night for Domino's Pizza. Neighbors told Houston police they heard gunshots. He was found dead in his crashed car on Court Road in far southwest Houston.

"He had been a lineman for the electric company. That was a dangerous job. This was delivering pizzas," said Laura Giffin, Hillick's younger sister, incredulously.

Police have no suspects or motive, and as hard as it is for Hillick's family to speak publicly, they feel they must.

"He had a big heart, a huge heart. He'd do anything for you and gladly do it," James Hillick, Paul's younger brother, said.

Hillick lived with their mother and took care of her. He was an Army veteran, a hard worker and generous. All of that information was included in his obituary but it wasn't the focus, his family said.

"I was going to say he was taken too soon or tragically died, but he was murdered," Laura said through tears.

His is not your usual death notice. There is no sugar-coating, no flowery language, and that's the point.

"It was sad but he was murdered. We want to make sure that's known," said James. "We want who did this caught not only for us but also for that neighborhood."

Laura had a hard time writing it and it was just as hard for her to read it when Eyewitness News was with her. The family has only one word for the person who killed Paul.

"I know whoever did it was a coward," James said.

Laura chose to mention that in the obituary. It's been their public plea for help until now. Finding their brother's killer would bring some comfort.

"I know the person or persons who did this are not going to turn themselves in. They're cowards and that's being nice. But someone knows, and if they can't do it because it's the right thing to do, do it for the reward money," Laura added.

Domino's Pizza confirms they will add $5,000 to any reward money Crime Stoppers offers.

Call HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS with any information.

Text of obituary here: