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Austin Davidson, formerly of Delmar, was sentenced on Thursday to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 66 years, for the fatal shooting of beloved father and Wicomico County Sheriff's Cpl. Glenn Hilliard in Pottsville last summer.
The 22-year-old was found guilty on multiple murder and other charges in May.
Prosecutors say that on June 12, 2022, officers were advised that Davidson was in the area of the Pottsville Park, and Hilliard was among the deputies to respond to the area to arrest the suspect, who had four open warrants out for his arrest.
While canvassing the area, Hilliard spotted someone matching Davidson’s description walking along Gumboro Road, and when he turned his patrol vehicle around, Davidson ducked into the stairwell of the nearby Talbot Apartment complex.
Hilliard was able to track Davidson to the end of the stairwell, at which point he began to flee around the building, though Hilliard was quickly able to catch him, and threatened to use his Taser device on him if he didn’t stop running.
Davidson did not comply, refused to surrender, and instead pulled out a Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended magazine. He activated the laser sight and fired there rounds at Hilliard, with two striking him.
The corporal was rushed to Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury, where he later died from his injuries.
At the time of the shooting, Davidson had multiple outstanding warrants out for his arrest in several jurisdictions, and was on “probation before judgment” for a robbery, according to the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3.
Davidson was convicted of:
- First-degree murder;
- Second-degree murder;
- Two counts of burglary;
- Firearm use in a violent crime;
- Six related gun charges.
“Corporal Glenn Hilliard was a wonderful father and husband, an accomplished law enforcement officer, and a friend to all who knew him,” Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes said following the conviction earlier this year.
“Corporal Hilliard made the ultimate sacrifice serving his community because Austin Davidson refused to be taken into custody on his four outstanding arrest warrants,” Sykes continued. “The Hilliard family, the law enforcement family, and our community have suffered immensely.”
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