Local leaders top out new Wicomico Co. Sheriff’s Office facility
SALISBURY, Md. – Wicomico County leaders celebrating the topping out of the brand new Sheriff’s Office facility Thursday morning.
“Quite frankly, this is an exhilarating moment for everybody in Wicomico County,” said Sheriff Mike Lewis. “This building will last for many, many generations. It will serve our community, I believe, in a much higher capacity than what they’re used to. This is something that’s been needed for many, many years.”
Major Uprgades
The new facility will quadruple the department’s current building, from 13,000 to 58,000 square feet. Sheriff Lewis says major upgrades will come with the new facility on Naylor Mill Road, including state of the art technology, and safer working conditions.
At the ground breaking ceremony in August 2022, Sheriff Lewis said that investigators were forced to work out of other buildings. Adding, issues with the HVAC system lead to frequent leaks and climate control issues.
In addition to upgrading utilities, Sheriff Lewis said on Thursday that the expanded space will only facilitate his department’s work with allied agencies, such as task force officers, U.S. Marshals, the DEA, and FBI.
“We know that we have a place where our entire community can come. We’ve got plenty of room for our meetings, for our community events, for press conferences,” said Sheriff Lewis. “We want to invite [those agencies] in our house, and provide them with a place where they can safely work every single day. Right now, we’re having to export our people out to their offices.”
“A very memorable moment”
Wednesday’s ceremony was also a heartfelt moment. Local leaders signed the beam, and attached challenge coins and patches honoring those lost in the line of duty, including Corporal Glenn Hilliard. Cpl. Hilliard’s wife, Tashica Hilliard, also put ink on the beam.
“There’s not a week that goes by that we don’t put the drone up in the air to videotape what’s going on and photograph this project as it’s being built. Glenn Hilliard was our primary drone operator. He was our master drone operator, a guy who absolutely loved new technology,” said Sheriff Lewis. “To see what’s going on now, and to see Tashica here with us, signing that beam on behalf of her husband, Corporal Glenn Hilliard, is a very memorable moment.”
After the beam was signed and decorated with the patches and coins, it was hoisted up and welded into place. Sheriff Lewis reflected on its significance as he spoke to 47 ABC on Thursday.
“Glenn Hilliard’s picture on that medallion on that challenge coin, affixed to that piece of steel, I’m looking at it right now, will forever be looking over the men and women of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. I think that’s very important to all of us,” said Sheriff Lewis.
Looking Ahead
Sheriff Lewis says the department has a tentative move in date at its new location of February 2024. He says this dream would not have been possible without the community’s support.
“I just want to thank everybody who has supported the men and women of law enforcement in this county,” said Sheriff Lewis. “We had a state trooper shot here in Wicomico County Monday night. This is something that affects us all. Any time we have a police officer hurt, it affects everybody. It’s difficult to wrap your head around it today. But, I’m just very grateful for the men and women here in Wicomico County who call Wicomico County home and support their law enforcement. It means a lot to us.”
