Cast with a Cop 2026: Building Connections One Cast at a Time

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Hebron Police Department proudly hosted our inaugural Cast with a Cop event at the Hebron State Fish Hatchery—and what an incredible day it was.

What began as a simple idea centered around fishing quickly became something much bigger: an opportunity to build meaningful connections between local youth and the public safety professionals who serve them every day.

Throughout the event, children from our community had the chance to spend quality time fishing alongside police officers, deputies, troopers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel from across the Buckeye Lake region. For many, it was about more than learning how to bait a hook or cast a line—it was about conversation, mentorship, laughter, and trust.

At the Hebron Police Department, we firmly believe that positive relationships are one of the strongest foundations of effective policing. Events like Cast with a Cop allow us to connect with young people in an environment far removed from emergency calls, traffic stops, or stressful situations. Instead, we meet over shared experiences, casual conversation, and a little friendly competition over who caught the biggest fish.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our partners, volunteers, sponsors, and participating agencies. The willingness of so many organizations and individuals to invest their time and resources into this initiative speaks volumes about the strength of our community and our shared commitment to supporting local youth.

We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this day possible, including the public safety agencies that attended, our volunteers who worked behind the scenes, and the sponsors whose generosity provided equipment, supplies, food, and activities for participants.

Most importantly, thank you to the kids and families who joined us. Your enthusiasm, energy, and smiles made the day unforgettable.

This event was only the beginning.

After seeing the impact of this year’s program, we are already looking ahead to Cast with a Cop 2027, where we plan to make the event even bigger and more interactive. Our vision includes more family participation, expanded hands-on public safety experiences, additional equipment displays, and an even greater regional presence from first responders.

The Hebron Police Department remains committed to finding innovative ways to engage with the people we serve. Community policing is about more than responding to calls—it’s about showing up, building trust, and creating lasting relationships.

Sometimes, all it takes is a fishing pole and a little time together.

We look forward to seeing everyone next year.