Hilliard's own Detective Brandon Long has been recognized with the prestigious Community Service Award by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. This award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to fostering connections between law enforcement and the local community. This accolade was bestowed upon him at the recent Law Enforcement Training Symposium, confirming his status as an officer deeply embedded in civic duty.
In his tenure with the Hilliard Division of Police since 2011, Detective Long has donned many hats, not solely within the Division as a patrol officer, traffic safety officer, and criminal investigator but also as a dedicated coach and advocate for the Hilliard Bobcats Special Olympics. Long has truly gone the extra mile to actively fuse athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete as equals on unified teams in various sports, a role he has embraced wholeheartedly, according to statements obtained by the City of Hilliard Division of Police.
Joe Morbitzer, former police chief of Westerville and superintendent of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, has publicly lauded Detective Long for revitalizing the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio after assuming the role of State Director in February 2021. Morbitzer credits Long's efforts with significantly bolstering law enforcement participation, as evidenced by the growing numbers from diverse Ohio law enforcement associations.
Yet, to thoroughly understand the depth of Long's involvement, one need only look at the annual community events he spearheads. From a friendly yet competitive softball game that bridges Bobcats athletes and Hilliard first responders to the Polar Plunge, which raised an impressive $200,000 this year for the Torch Run. Long has managed to raise more than $60,000 since 2018, ensuring that Hilliard's Special Olympians and their coaches can rest a little easier about the costs of competing, as reported by the City of Hilliard Division of Police.
The testament to Detective Long's character doesn't end with financial figures or titles; it's echoed in the sentiments of those like Haley Melcher, a development director for Special Olympics Ohio, who nominated him for the award. Melcher remarked that Long is "one of the most humble people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting," and continued praising his understanding of "the value of true inclusion for all," as captured by the City of Hilliard Division of Police. Its precise Detective Long's work extends far beyond traditional policing, embodying the spirit of service and inclusivity.
