Community, Service, and a Pair of Stilts: Auxiliary Officer Makes a Difference

#VLEOA #VolunteerLawEnforcementOfficerAlliance #PoliceReserve #VolunteerLawEnforcement #ReserveDeputy #ReserveOfficer #AuxiliaryPolice #VolunteerPolicing #MountVernonPolice #FirstResponders #CommunityPolicing #PublicSafety #CharityEvent #PoliceVolunteers #LawEnforcement #CommunitySupport #ServeAndProtect #FirstResponderFamily #ForceMultiplier #CommunityEngagement

Sometimes the most memorable moments in public safety come not from emergency calls, but from bringing a community together. During the First Responders Go Bananas charity softball game in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Mount Vernon Auxiliary Police Officer Mike Wheeler made sure no one would forget the evening by taking the field on 9-foot stilts. Having practiced for only a few weeks, Wheeler volunteered to play the exhibition game towering above the competition, explaining simply that he wanted "to be supportive and give everyone something to remember about the game." His lighthearted contribution helped create a fun atmosphere for a fundraiser benefiting Mount Vernon Police Officer John Cox and Michelle Kramp, the wife of Mount Vernon Fire Lt. Brayden Kramp, both of whom are facing serious medical challenges. Wheeler's participation is a reminder that auxiliary and volunteer law enforcement officers serve their communities in many ways beyond traditional policing. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting community events, or helping raise funds for fellow first responders in need, Auxiliary Officer Wheeler demonstrated that volunteer policing is as much about strengthening community bonds as it is about public safety.

https://www.knoxpages.com/2026/07/26/mount-vernon-first-responders-families-benefit-from-charity-softball-game/