A Maryland sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot while chasing a fugitive, authorities say
By Amir Vera, Michelle Watson and Michelle Krupa, CNN
A Maryland sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Sunday night while chasing a fugitive, according to authorities.
Deputy 1st Class Glenn Hilliard was fatally shot around 8:25 p.m. outside an apartment complex in Pittsville, according to a news release from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. Pittsville is located about 11 miles east of the city of Salisbury.
The suspect was identified as Austin Jacob Allen Davidson, 20, who surrendered to police about two hours after the shooting and a manhunt by multiple law enforcement agencies, the news release said.
Davidson was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, the release said.
He is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
It is unclear at this time if Davidson has retained an attorney.
Hillard had responded to the apartment complex where he spotted Davidson, who was wanted on four outstanding arrest warrants, the news release said.
A preliminary investigation showed Hillard allegedly chased Davidson, who shot the officer with a handgun before running away from the scene, according to the police.
“He was not only armed with a laser-sighted semiautomatic handgun, he used the laser-sighted semiautomatic handgun on a uniformed Wicomico County sheriff’s deputy, and this was clearly captured by the eyes of the deputy’s body-worn camera — crystal clear,” Sheriff Mike Lewis said.
Hillard was taken to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital in Salisbury where he died, the release said.
A homicide investigation will be conducted by Maryland State Police, Lewis told CNN.
Hilliard, 41, was a 16-year law enforcement veteran, the sheriff said. He spent six years with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in southeastern Maryland and 10 years as an officer for the Berlin Police Department on the Eastern Shore of the state.
He leaves behind a wife and three children, according to the sheriff’s office. Hillard would have turned 42 on June 22, the department said.
“His wife wanted to make sure that we passed on to people that Glenn Hilliard died doing what he loved. This is just a horrendous crime and tragedy,” Gov. Larry Hogan said during a news conference Monday.
Hillard was at least the 25th law enforcement officer this year killed by gunfire in the line of duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks such deaths. Last year saw the most US law enforcement officers intentionally killed in the line of duty since 9/11, as gun violence and homicides rose, data from the FBI showed.
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CNN’s Joe Sutton contributed to this report.
