Berlin road dedication for Corp. Hilliard set June 12

(June 9, 2023) A portion of Stephen Decatur Highway will be dedicated to the memory of Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Glenn Hilliard on June 12, a year after he was killed in the line of duty.

Hilliard, a former Ocean City Police officer, was murdered by then20-year-old Austin Jacob Allen Davidson, of Delmar, during a foot chase near the Talbot Street Apartments on Gumboro Road in Pittsville. Davidson was wanted for outstanding arrest warrants and led Hilliard on a brief chase before shooting and killing him.

According to a news release, Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C) has worked closely with members of the Maryland State Highway Administration to dedicate a significant portion of Stephen Decatur Highway to Hilliard, which will be dedicated at 11 a.m., June 12, at the Bethany United Methodist Church.

The boundaries of the dedication contain a four-mile stretch from the Route 611 at the Route 50 intersec- tion to the Route 611 at Route 376. The southern dedication sign will be 640 feet south of Marajan Lane, and the northern dedication sign will be 200 feet north of Assateague Way.

Members of the Bethany United Methodist Church are allowing the use of the church property on Stephen Decatur Highway for the dedication ceremony. The ceremony will include remarks from local law enforcement leaders and the unveiling of the highway dedication signs. The church is close to the northern dedication sign and offers available parking. Members of the public are invited to attend the dedication. Hilliard was killed in the line of duty while working for the Wicomico Sheriff’s Office. The release said Hilliard risked his life daily throughout his career to protect the citizens of Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties. He is remembered as a man of outstanding character and someone who exemplified heroism. Hilliard was posthumously promoted to Corporal by Wicomico County’s Sheriff Mike Lewis.