COLUMBIANA COUNTY FOP raises money for ailing patrolman

The community has rallied around the veteran patrolman.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
EAST LIVERPOOL -- Fraternal Order of Police 29 members are raising money for veteran East Liverpool police Patrolman Tom Hildebrand, who is battling cancer.
Detective Don Fickes of the East Liverpool Police Department said the FOP members want to assist Hildebrand financially because he has exhausted his paid leave. Hildebrand was treated for cancer two years ago but the cancer has returned and he is undergoing chemotherapy treatments, Fickes said.
"He's pretty sick, and things don't look very good right now," Fickes said. "We want to give him some income and also help with medical expenses if we can."
Fickes said the FOP members collected money recently to supplement a recent Florida vacation for Hildebrand.
"He's a great guy and he's well-liked and respected in the city and across the state," Fickes said.
He said the city has rallied around Hildebrand with fund-raising efforts such as car washes, carnival games at the city's pottery festival and a benefit at the Thompson Park swimming pool.
"There has been a great outpouring of support from the community," Fickes said.
He said hundreds of cards have been delivered to the police department for Hildebrand, who is known through the department as Hildy.
Background
Hildebrand, 48, is single and lives in East Liverpool. He was the department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer, served as the DARE vice president for Ohio and was honored as a Veterans of Foreign Wars co-policeman of the year.
Anyone wishing to send cards to Hildebrand or make a donation may do so to Tom Hildebrand, c/o FOP 29, P.O. Box 233, East Liverpool, OH 43920.