Representation Matters: Local widow shares efforts to diversify Law Enforcement
Glenn Hilliard Legacy Scholarship
MARYLAND – Police officers and communities of color oftentimes find themselves at odds. Now, residents are working to encourage diversity in law enforcement.
After the Black Lives vs Blue Lives Matter movement of 2020, and then the killing of her husband in 2022, a local widow says what truly matters, is representation to bring communities together. Tashica Hilliard says, “It’s geared towards local youth in law enforcement and there hasn’t been an application to it yet.”
Scholarships Matters
“The community foundation exists to connect people who care about causes that matter and scholarships are one of those.” Kathy Diekmann of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore says they established a legacy scholarship to honor the life and legacy of Wicomico County Deputy, Corporal Glenn Hilliard and his service.
“Through donations from the community, law enforcement, and even local businesses, were able to support local students who are interested in committing their future to law enforcement… Currently, it’s a $2,000 scholarship, that grows over time as the investment grows through the community foundation.”
The annual scholarship is awarded to a student who is pursuing a career in law enforcement and attending The University of Maryland Eastern Shore-, Cpl. Hilliard’s alma matter. His widow, Tashica says this will unite not divide.
Representation Matters
“This is something that can help to bridge gaps and help build community strengths by having someone that so many children in this area can look up too and say ‘Hey, he looks like me! And he’s a good guy you know, he’s here to protect me. He’s here to be a hero, he’s here to help me, and he looks like me. that is really important not just in this community but all over.”
Tashica says she will continue to push for representation in local law enforcement. The scholarship was only recently made available this year. Kathy says the 2026 Application deadline is April 1st. For more information visit their website.
