WICOMICO CO., MD – On Friday. Austin Davidson received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 66 years of incarceration, for the murder of Corporal Glenn Hilliard from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The sentencing was carried out by the Honorable S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County.
Davidson had previously been found guilty in May 2023 after a six-day jury trial overseen by Judge Sarbanes. The charges included First-Degree Murder, Second-Degree Murder, two counts of Burglary, Firearm Use in a Crime of Violence, and six other gun-related charges. The sentencing had been delayed to allow for a pre-sentencing investigation.
Davidson has remained in custody since then.
The incident occurred on the evening of June 12, 2022, when the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen reporting that Austin Davidson, who had four outstanding warrants, was in the vicinity of Pittsville Park. Corporal Glenn Hilliard, along with other deputies, responded to the area to locate Davidson. While on patrol, Corporal Hilliard spotted an individual matching Davidson’s description walking along Gumboro Road. As he turned his patrol vehicle around, Davidson quickly entered the Talbot Apartment complex and headed for the stairwell of a building.
Corporal Hilliard positioned his patrol vehicle near the stairwell, and as Davidson exited, he attempted to flee around the building. In pursuit, Corporal Hilliard warned Davidson that he would use a Taser if he continued to flee.
However, Davidson chose to resist arrest and instead drew a Taurus 9mm handgun equipped with a laser sight, and fired multiple rounds at Corporal Hilliard.
Tragically, two of the shots struck Corporal Hilliard, who later succumbed to his injuries at Tidal Health in Salisbury.
The sentencing brings closure to the case, providing justice for the loss of Corporal Glenn Hilliard.