Gina Gallucci
Frederick News Post

(5/8) Brian Williar aspired to be a police officer from a young age.

The Rocky Ridge native achieved his goal in 1981 when he became a patrol officer for the Frederick Police Department. In 2004, he retired with the rank of captain from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office after 20 years of service.

After taking a break, Williar decided to come back to law enforcement as the new deputy chief of police for the Thurmont Police Department. He has been issued the rank of lieutenant.

Chief Greg Eyler said he was looking for someone with command experience, the ability to manage the office and be able to work with officers and the community. He believes Williar fit all of those qualities.

Williar, 52, replaces Lt. Shawn Tyler, who resigned from his position in February after admitting to deleting photos in an assault case that he believed had no evidentiary value.

Since he retired in 2004, Williar was interested in a return to law enforcement. Because he graduated from Catoctin High School and he and Eyler worked together at the sheriff's office for many years, he decided to apply for the opening.

"I knew (Eyler) and I could work together real well," he said.

He started April 28 and said he likes the job so far.

While in the U.S. Army in the late 1970s to early 1980s, he was exposed to law enforcement and he decided to pursue it as a career.

"It sounded like an interesting profession," he said.

Williar worked patrol for the Frederick Police Department for several years before moving to the sheriff's office in 1985. He served in several divisions including patrol operations, criminal investigations and internal affairs.

His favorite division was personnel services where his duties included conducting interviews and promotional tests.

He also graduated from the FBI's National Academy in Quantico, Va., in 1999 and was a visiting fellow with the International Association of Chiefs of Police for a year.

For his newest job, Williar hopes to bring a broad range of experience to the department and help and mentor the officers as much as he can.

Williar lives in Boonsboro with his wife, Renee, and son Liam. He also has three grown sons, David, Jamison and Scott, and two granddaughters, Savannah and Cameron.