Maryland Fallen Heroes Day honors sacrifices of first responders

TIMONIUM,  MD – Governor Wes Moore declared Friday as Fallen Heroes Day, as fallen first responders from across the state were honored during the 38th annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony in Timonium.

The ceremony was held at the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens where family and community members gathered to honor 11 first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.

During the ceremony, Governor Moore noted that those being honored were true heroes for their sacrifices saying at the event: “Being heroic means more than just being noteworthy. A whole lot more. Heroism is about doing something others are not willing to do. When it comes to service, all will give some. But there are those that gave all, and today we honor those who gave all.”

Corporal Glenn Hilliard was one of four people from the Eastern Shore remembered.

Hilliard was shot and killed while on foot pursuit attempting to arrest a subject wanted for multiple felony warrants from several jurisdictions. He is the second Wicomico County Deputy killed in the line of duty since 1968.  DFC Glenn Hillard served with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for six years and previously with the Berlin Police Department for ten years. He held several positions throughout his distinguished law enforcement career, including Deputy U. S. Marshall Task Force Officer, Seasonal Police Officer for Ocean City Police Department, Crisfield Police Officer, Berlin Police Officer, Associate Instructor for Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, as well as a FAA Certified Drone Pilot. Deputy First Class Hilliard, who approached his work with excellence and compassion, was age 41 at the time of his death.

Hilliard was killed on June 12th, 2022, and the trial of his accused killer remains ongoing.

The ceremony also honored Fire Chief Neil Payne of the Stockton Volunteer Fire Company, who was the longest-running Fire Chief in Worcester County at the time of his passing and the longest-serving Chief of the Stockton Fire Company since its founding in 1924.

He was a highly skilled Cardiac Rescue Technician and mentor to many younger firefighters. Chief Payne, known as hard-working with an easy-going demeanor and kind spirit, viewed the well-being of others as a priority in his life. Chief Neil Payne was 59 years old when he suffered a medical emergency after responding to a call for service.

Captain David Insley of the Salisbury Fire Department was also honored at the Ceremony, a dedicated first responder whose fire service career spanned more than 32 years, Captain David Insley held many leadership positions.  He began as a Firefighter/Paramedic, and then his passion for diving led him to become a master scuba diver and instructor. He not only served as the Commander of the dive team, Capt. Insley trained other fire departments and government agencies in underwater programs as well.  As an EMS Supervisor, Captain Insley’s direct knowledge of the impact of this vital work led him to help form a Critical Incident Stress Management Team.  He was a military veteran who proudly served with the Maryland National Guard.  Captain Insley succumbed to occupational cancer at the age of 56.

The final Eastern Shore first responder honored at the ceremony was Corrections Officer Gregory Collins of Eastern Correctional Institution.

Officer Gregory Collins, a three-year veteran of the department, was shot and killed after completing his shift at the Eastern Correctional Institution by a former inmate in retaliation for a perceived grievance.

His murder remained unsolved until 2019 when tips led investigators to the former inmate who was ultimately convicted of Officer Collins’ murder.  Gregory Collins was known as a highly respected officer and natural leader, with “a heart of gold.”  A military veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps and the Maryland National Guard, Officer Collins was 31 years old at the time of his death.

This year the general assembly passed legislation allowing his family to receive the full pension of an active service duty death.

The families of the fallen were presented with a replica of the Fallen Heroes Memorial and a resolution from the Maryland General Assembly.