Arrest warrant turned deadly: police reveal final moments of slain Wicomico Co. Sheriff’s Deputy

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – 20-year-old Austin Davidson is sitting behind bars in Wicomico County. He is facing first and second degree murder and assault charges. Sunday night, Davidson was arrested after police say he shot and killed Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class (DFC) Glenn Hilliard in the line of duty.

DFC Hilliard’s Final Moments

“[Davidson] was not only armed with a laser-sighted semi-automatic handgun, he used the laser-sighted semi-automatic handgun on a uniformed Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy, and this was clearly captured by the eyes of the deputy’s body worn camera,” said Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis.

Around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, two Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Talbot Apartments in Pittsville. The deputies were there to serve Davidson on multiple felony warrants out of Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and Baltimore City. DFC Hilliard was one of those on scene.

At first, deputies were not able to find Davidson. However, he was spotted exiting an apartment building stairwell about ten minutes later, police say. That’s when Davidson reportedly ran, turned, and shot at DFC Hilliard multiple times, hitting him at least once.

Sheriff Lewis says DFC Hilliard never had the chance to remove his gun from his holster. “We knew he was armed. We knew he was dangerous. We knew that when we dispatched deputies to try to locate him. But, this is what we do,” said he said.

Police then lost contact with Davidson, leading them on a manhunt involving dozens of agencies over the next two hours. Davidson was finally located about a half a mile from the scene. The gun he allegedly used to kill DFC Hilliard was recovered nearby.

Davidson is being held at Wicomico County Detention Center. Wicomico County States Attorney, Jamie Dykes, says a grand jury will consider the case in the coming weeks. The trial is expected to begin in several months.

“Someone like this should not have been out on the streets.”

Charging documents reveal, at some point in the manhunt, Davidson texted an associate, writing, “I shot a cop I was scared I love u bye” and, “I had a gun that would triple my time.”

“Someone like this should not have been out on the streets. You’ve heard me talk over and over again, for eight years, about getting tough on these repeat offenders, especially the judges in Baltimore City letting people out,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan at a Monday press conference.

In 2019, Davidson was convicted of armed robbery at a Baltimore McDonalds. He was given probation before judgment, and a three year suspended sentence. “When apprehended in Baltimore City, after committing an armed robbery, when asked why he did it, you want to hear his response? Quote ‘Because I can,'” said Sheriff Lewis.

It’s an attitude that law enforcement says Davidson may have carried with him to Pittsville. During questioning, Davidson freely admitted to investigators that he fired at DFC Hilliard.

“It was the Baltimore City court system and criminal justice system that let this guy walk. It’s something we’ve been talking about; increased penalties for repeat offenders,” said Gov. Hogan. “Glenn Hilliard is never going to be forgotten for the hero that he is. We’re going to continue to support our law enforcement. We’re going to get to the bottom of this case.”

Sheriff Lewis expressed disappointment in Maryland’s criminal justice system, calling for accountability. “We have to have truth in sentencing, and we must hold people accountable. Until we do, these crimes will continue to occur. This is not a gun issue. This is a behavioral issue. Individuals who are not held accountable here in the state of Maryland for their crimes will continue to offend,” he said. “Had [Davidson] still been incarcerated where he belonged, our deputy would still be here with us today.”

Remembering DFC Hilliard

Monday morning, Pittsville neighbors could be seen paying their respects at the scene, laying down flowers, and shedding tears. “It’s something that I just couldn’t even comprehend right now,” said Pittsville resident Rebecca Flaherty. “It kind of breaks my heart because this guy gave his all in his job. He has family and friends. It’s just gone.”

Later, at the press conference, Sheriff Lewis described working with DFC Hilliard as a pleasure. Sheriff Lewis recounted numerous times that DFC Hilliard helped fix his fellow law enforcement officers’ cell phones, and his mastery of the department’s drone program.

Most of all, Sheriff Lewis says DFC Hilliard was a family man; not only committed to his wife and three children, but dedicated to serving his community. “He always had a smile on his face, always in a playful mood whenever you saw him. He was a beloved member of our family,” said Sheriff Lewis. “Glenn was a jokester. Glenn was a good looking man. He dressed better probably than most people at this office. Every time I saw him, I called him ‘Smooth’ because he was just a good looking guy.”