COLUMBUS, Ohio — As we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice earlier this week for 9/11, Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala is honoring first responders and veterans for their service to the community.
“I think it's pretty cool. I have been with the Licking County Sheriff's Office for almost 25 years. It's pretty cool to be honored for it,” said Licking County sheriff’s deputy Marc Brill. “It brings light to the job of whether it is fire, EMT or police officer or soldier of what we do and put on the line every day."
Brill graduated from Watkins Memorial in 1995. These days he walks the halls as the school resource officer.
“It is a difficult job. It is one of the best jobs I have had in my career at the sheriff's office. I walk in the door every day and I don't ever dread coming to work,” Brill said.
Every year, the school honors first responders and veterans during a home football game.
They pick one person who has gone above and beyond for the community.
This year they are honoring Brill.
“I was never expecting that to come down. But it is nice to be recognized. There are a lot of people who should be recognized with me too,” Brill said.
Brill's longtime friend, Licking County Sheriff's Office Captain Chris Barbuto says Brill deserves the recognition.
“Having deputy Brill being honored is the way the community recognizes his hard work, his dedication, what he does for the school district, parents, the faculty, the staff. What a positive impact he has had overall. It means a lot to us as an office,” Barbuto said.
The event is a time for the community, especially the students, to remember the sacrifices first responders and veterans make for the community every day.
“It's nice to see the whole community rally around deputy Brill. I know what kind of sacrifice deputy Brill would have for this community,” Barbuto said.
Brill has had many jobs at the Licking County Sheriff's Office and says the past seven years as school resource officer have been the best.
“It is a great event to show the sacrifice. Just being an SRO in the schools with the children, we chat about it and what it's like being a police officer or deputy sheriff,” Brill said.