“Learn from Glenn” – Cpl. Hilliard’s legacy lives on as headstone is unveiled

June 22, 2023

Han Cechini,

BERLIN, Md. – Thursday morning was rainy and windy in Berlin. But, that didn’t stop loved ones of fallen hero, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Corporal Glenn Hilliard, from unveiling his grave marker. Cpl. Hilliard was shot and killed in the line of duty in June of 2022.

“Very heartwarming”

The day also marked what would have been Cpl. Hilliard’s 43rd birthday. But the gathering held at Sunset Memorial Park, was not your typical birthday celebration.

“To see the beautiful memorial that’s now been established, that will forever be established to memorialize the sacrifices he made for the citizens of Wicomico County, and our entire community, it’s very heartwarming to be here today,” said Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis. “We can all come now, and pay tribute to a man on many special occasions that will come up in the future.”

Honoring Cpl. Hilliard’s Legacy

A grave marker is real, and tangible; You can see it with your eyes, and touch it with your fingers. But those who loved and knew Cpl. Hilliard say honoring his legacy also requires action, and keeping his memory alive.

“We have his foundation for the scholarship over at UMES, and I have lots of ideas of things that I would like to do. But, I have to dig deep, and think, what would Glenn want me to do?” said Tashica Hilliard, Cpl. Hilliard’s widow. “[Something] pro law enforcement. He was a member of the fire department. So many things that he was involved in, and I just feel like there are so many opportunities to give back to the community, and to honor Glenn at the same time.”

And at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Lewis says Cpl. Hilliard’s influence can still be felt in the halls.

“Every single day, we’re trying to live up to the expectations that Glenn had of all of us,” said Sheriff Lewis. “He had a heart of gold, and he wanted to make sure that he was always serving citizens to the utmost of his ability. It’s something, I think, he’s instilled in each and every member of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.”

“Learn from Glenn”

Tashica and Sheriff Lewis might be two of the people who knew Cpl. Hilliard, and the example he set for the community, best. They say there’s something we can all learn from Glenn.

“I wish our community and our world, as a whole, would just be loving the way Glenn loved everyone he ever came into contact with and met,” said Tashica. “For future generations, I would hope that they learn from Glenn; his work ethic, his ability to put himself to the side, and care for others first.”

“I want everybody to know, especially these young kids in our schools today, that they too can be in the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office; they too can do whatever they want to do, as long as they keep their minds straight, and make a determination to do what they want to do,” added Sheriff Lewis. “Don’t let anything stop you. Glenn Hilliard was that kind of man.”

Moving Forward, Together

So, now that Corporal Hilliard has been laid to rest, where do we go from here?

Tashica says it starts with remembering to love one another.

“There have been probably a thousand new people who have come into my life; some who still contact me daily, weekly, monthly. It gives me the drive, myself, to be a better person, to help people,” said Tashica. “Just remember the sacrifice that he made for the community, for our family. It’s okay to put his face out there, it’s okay to say his name, it’s okay to remember what he did, and how he protected so many lives.”

Something else to remember, says Sheriff Lewis:

“I want people to know that we are humans. Recognize us as being humans, recognize us as being imperfect as we are, and please know that we still will do the best job that we possibly can to protect everybody in our community,” said Sheriff Lewis. “We truly don’t know, from the time we walk out the house to the time we get home, whether we’re going to come home alive or not. And, we do it literally every single day, to the utmost ability, because we love doing it.”