“Final chapter for Austin Davidson” – Loved ones react to life sentence for Cpl. Hilliard’s murderer

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Austin Davidson learned his fate Thursday, as Judge S. James Sarbanes handed down a sentence: life without the possibility of parole, plus 66 years behind bars. Davidson was convicted in May, of murdering Wicomico County Sheriff’s Corporal Glenn Hilliard in the line of duty, on June 12th, 2022.

Justice Served, Say Loved Ones

Thursday morning, tension and an absolute sense of loss were palpable in the courtroom. Cpl. Hilliard’s widow and mother told Davidson in no uncertain words that they were happy to see him sent away for life. Adding, they aren’t buying Davidson’s newly displayed remorse.

“I don’t want one day of my children’s life, where they ever have to see that man in the free world, on the streets, walking. As long as they live, I want him to be away,” said widow Tashica Hilliard, following the sentencing. “I believe that if [Davidson] had the opportunity to have not gotten caught, he would have no remorse.”

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis says he feels reassured, knowing Davidson will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“He will wake up in a concrete and steel cell for the rest of his natural life. He will never see the light of day. That brings personal closure to me, and collective closure to our community,” said Sheriff Lewis. “Glenn’s legacy will be here forever. While this is another chapter today for the Hilliard family, for the law enforcement community, this was the final chapter for Austin Davidson.”

Wicomico County States’ Attorney Jamie Dykes has previously said this is the biggest case of her career thus far. More than that, she says it has made a largely personal impact on her. She hopes this sentence will send a strong message to others who may have malice in their hearts.

“I think as soon as that word spreads that they have no place here, hopefully our community will be a better, safer place,” said Dykes. “I would love to turn back time, and all of us not to be here. But, justice was achieved to the extent that we can do justice, and I’m grateful for that.”

“I wish I could feel sorry for you, but I don’t.”

Before Davidson was sentenced, Tashica and Cpl. Hilliard’s mother, Karen Hilliard-Johnson, gave victim impact statements. Hilliard-Johnson went first.

She described proudly raising Cpl. Hilliard as a single mother, and her life changing “unalterably” the day that Davidson murdered him.

“You never expect to outlive a child. A piece of our world is gone and will never come back,” Hilliard-Johnson told Davidson. “I will not occupy my mind with thoughts of you. But, I know you will never forget my son, or what you did.”

“While he hurt us terribly, he couldn’t destroy us. He didn’t have that power. I wanted him to understand that I will not spend any time thinking about him in the future, but he’s always going to think about Glenn,” Hilliard-Johnson told 47 ABC WMDT after the sentencing. “We need to move forward in getting rid of this senseless violence.”

Tashica was next to address Davidson. She took a few moments to collect her thoughts, as Dykes stood by her side, arm wrapped around her.

“I wish I could say I feel sorry for you, but I don’t,” she began. “Even though you tried, [we] will never let [Glenn] die.”

Tashica went on to say that she wanted to explain what marriage meant to Davidson, because he could not know; detailing the heartbreak she’s experienced over the last year. “I ache at night wishing to be held, loved, comforted. You took my other half,” Tashica told Davidson through tears.

“I wanted [Davidson] to understand that my husband’s life meant something to all of us,” Tashica told members of the media outside the courthouse. “Remember that the life [Glenn] gave was not in vain.”

Prosecution Requests Life w/o Parole

As Dykes made the prosecution’s sentencing request, she said that Davidson “lacks respect for life” and “is nothing, and was nothing, without a firearm and ammunition.” Adding, Davidson had 15 run-ins with the law as a juvenile, seven as an adult, and two following Cpl. Hilliard’s murder.

Dykes went on to say that the entire community are victims, and the damage done by Davidson is “unquantifiable.” Dykes also said that Davidson wanted to make a name for himself, and “prepared for June 12th without regard for anyone but himself.”

“[Davidson was] bent on taking the life of a law enforcement officer,” said Dykes, and only turned himself in “because it was obvious he had no other way out.”

“I wish I could take it back.”

Davidson’s defense attorneys painted a much different picture of the defendant; outlining a hard up-bringing full of “trauma, neglect, and profound loss.” Davidson grew up without a father, in and out of foster care, and bouncing between Baltimore and Delmar, they say. When Davidson was nine years old, attorneys say, he found his mother dead on the front porch of their home. Later, they say his sister suffered a fatal overdose.

Despite these circumstances, defense attorneys say the 21-year-old is an “intelligent and funny young man,” who has much potential to turn his life around. Davidson sat, silently listening, in a jail-issued dark green t-shirt, tan sweatpants, and handcuffs around his wrists.

Then, Davidson spoke publicly for the first time in court, tearfully telling Tashica his actions were selfish, and he didn’t think about others when he pulled the trigger. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I wish I could take it back.”

Taking all into consideration, Judge Sarbanes said “Hopefully, today brings a resolution, and from that, comes peace. I think that’s the best we can get out of today.”

Directly addressing Davidson, “You have choices in life. You have a choice not to reach into a backpack and take a gun out,” said Judge Sarbanes. Continuing, the judge expressed confusion over how Davidson could show genuine remorse, given his actions and “bragging” in jail following the murder.

“There is no rehabilitative value to occur here,” said Judge Sarbanes. “[Davidson] has earned and deserves [this] punishment.”

Moving Forward

Moving forward, loved ones say this may be the final chapter for Davidson; but honoring Cpl. Hilliard will be a lifetime journey.

“Continue to show us love, you know? Even though it seems like the end for some – it’s finally over – it’s the beginning for us,” said Tashica.

“Remember the positive message that Glenn always had,” added Hilliard-Johnson. “He was even-tempered, he was fair, and he was kind. He felt that way about everyone; the people he arrested. He was just that person… Be mindful of the type of things that Glenn did, in his honor.”

Remembering Cpl. Hilliard, Hilliard-Johnson lets out a laugh, and says his positive energy knew no limits; reminiscing about Cpl. Hilliard happily chasing seagulls on the beach as a teen. “He could be really silly, and I guess the people that worked with him got to know that. But, he could make everybody laugh,” said Hilliard-Johnson.

Hilliard-Johnson says since Cpl. Hilliard’s murder, it’s been too painful to visit Maryland. But, as the community that Cpl. Hilliard served heals, his family members say they’re on their own, more personal, journey of recovery.

“I think, now, more of the good times and the fun and the things that we had when I would visit here,” said Hilliard-Johnson. “This was my son’s home. This became his home. It’s important to him and it’s important to me.”