Police, Fire and First Responder families supporting Death Benefits Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – First responders gathered in Annapolis to testify in support of legislation that would provide a tax credit for those who are killed in the line of duty.

Widow of Corporal Glenn Hilliard, Tashica Hilliard, says “it was a burden that I just feel like no one should have to bear.”

House Bill 1064 is a tax credit that would exempt first responders from being taxed when their lives are lost in the line of duty.

Law Enforcement, firefighters and families of first responders took to Annapolis to support the bill, including Ryan Whittington of the Ocean City Fire Department.

“When we think about the death of a first responder, their funeral costs, there is a loss of income and the everyday requirements that a family has to meet does not stop just because a loved one has died.”

“Death is expensive, death is stressful and the Death Benefit of our first responders should not be taxed.”

Police say that their state or federal benefits are not taxed, but the benefits received from Wicomico County for Corporal Glen Hilliard’s family was in fact taxed to a tune of $182,000.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis showed the departments support by joining Tashica Hilliard to testify on behalf of the bill.

“You can imagine the impact that had on the family of Corporal Glenn Hilliard,” Sheriff Lewis said.

“I had no idea that this benefit was going to be taxed,” Tashica Hilliard said. “It came as a complete shock to me.”

First responders and families of the fallen stood together in a unified stand of support for the legislation. They are hopeful that the bill will pass.

Our firefighters, our paramedics, law enforcement officers should they be seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, that they can be sure that their family members and survivors will be taken care of.

Supporters of the bill say lawmakers can show they care about their first responders by passing the legislation.