Fallen officer remembered as the best

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - By some measures Brent Long might be what is called a cop's-cop.

He was both a K-9 handler and a member of the SWAT team.

By other measures he was the ultimate public servant having been a police officer, jailer, EMT, and firefighter.

For those who worked shoulder to shoulder with him, Brent Long was simply the best.

Brent Long brought honors to the Terre Haute Police Department through his work with his K-9 unit, but before he wore the blue, he wore sheriff's department tan as a dispatcher and a jailer.

His death hit Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing hard.

"I've lost a friend that I made when he was young," sobbed Ewing. "I've lost a friend."

Ewing says that friend grew from a boy into the kind of cop others want to be.

"He found that niche in law enforcement that really made him excel, said Ewing. "His niche, his place in the community."

A procession brought Long's body down 3rd street.

Those who knew him came out to watch their friend pass.

"Case by case, call by call, he always gave it his all," said Irene Miller. "He just didn't do it as a job. He did it because he wanted to help people."

Brent Long lived for 34 years and it didn't matter whether it was with the fire department, the city police or at the sheriff's department, he left a huge impression.

"He wore that badge regardless of the shape with honor," said Ewing.

"A friend, a father, a son, a brother, [he was] just a real honest, caring, loving human being from our community," added Miller.

So, while the processions roll through the community and the flags fall to half-staff those who knew Brent Long say this community lost one of the best of the best.

Long is survived by his wife and two young children.