Thousands Attend Funeral Of Slain Wicomico County Corporal Glenn Hilliard
SALISBURY, Md. (WJZ) -- Thousands gathered on the Eastern Shore Tuesday to honor Corporal Glenn Hilliard, who died in the line of duty earlier this month.
Hilliard was posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal, and awarded posthumously the Wicomico County Medal of Valor for conspicuous acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
Many in attendance at the funeral were members of law enforcement.
Theophilus Hobbs, Hilliard's brother-in-law and a retired state trooper, said the pain of his family's loss is immense.
"It's painful. I have never cried so much as I have cried in these previous days in my entire life because I felt it on both sides as a family member and as law enforcement," Hobbs said.
In the church, there were tributes for the dedicated family man, whose obituary said "his love of family had no limits. He cherished his children, who were also his best friends, which he physically demonstrated daily. He prized his wife, Tashica, rarely rejecting any of her requests."
As mourners filed into the church to pay their final respects, we met Evelyn Christy, who had mentored Hilliard ever since his college days at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
"He was good with people, and you know, you have to be a people person to do certain jobs," she said. "You got to love people. And that's what it's all about to be passionate."
Corporal Hilliard served in law enforcement for well over a decade. His obituary said he started some public service roles even before he graduated with a criminal justice degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The obituary said in part, "He fearlessly and proactively lived and died by the oath he swore to protect and serve."
Corporal Hilliard was killed in the line of duty earlier this month as he tried to arrest a suspect who was on the run. The suspect later surrendered.
Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, who has spent hours by the family's side since the corporal was killed, praised Corporal Hilliard's determination, drive, camaraderie for others, and dedication to serving his community.
"Tashica, I am so sorry that he died on my watch," Sheriff Lewis said through tears while addressing the corporal's wife.
Corporal Hilliard was described as a jack of all trades, a friend to many and a comedian who was the life of the party.
Reverend Theophilus Hobbs, III, the corporal's father-in-law, delivered the eulogy. He described a prank the corporal played.
"My wife and I only lived three doors down, and on some evenings we would go to visit unannounced, and Glenn would make sure we heard him say, 'everybody get down, don't make a sound.' He locked the doors," said Reverend Hobbs said, as the audience laughed.
The 16-year veteran was pursuing other professional advancements and requested to return to patrol in order to diversify his resume.
The corporal would have celebrated his 42nd birthday the week after he was killed.
There are two ways the public can make donations to the deputy's family, one of which is through the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 111.