Thursday, October 1, 2026
Whether traffic needs directing or events need protecting, Long Beach residents can count on Auxiliary Police Officer Brad Hendrick, who has volunteered in the city for 15 years.
Hendrick, 74, serves as a sergeant and field training officer for the auxiliary department. “I love what I do and I enjoy the camaraderie with my guys,” Hendrick said.
The auxiliary serves as an additional set of eyes and ears for the police department. In addition to their service at public events, members like Hendrick also assist with crowd control during emergency responses. “We’re an extension of the police department,” he said.
Richard DePalma, the police commissioner, called the auxiliary vital to ensuring the safety of residents, a mission Hendrick plays a key role in. “He is at every event,” DePalma said. “He is everywhere.”
The longtime volunteer has several certifications. Hendrick is a graduate of the Nassau County Police Auxiliary program in Mineola, and a certified New York State peace officer, with more than 300 hours of training.
When he is not in the field, Hendrick helps train auxiliary members, reviewing procedures for accident scenes and patrol techniques at shopping centers and city-owned buildings. He instructs members on tactics like “verticals,” searching high-rise buildings from the top down as members take separate stairwells and meet on each floor.
“It is meant to help ensure the safety of people in our community,” Hendrick said.
In September 2018, when Hurricane Florence struck the Carolinas, Hendrick and fellow Auxiliary Sergeant Margarita Tamarit came up with the idea to drive down to New Bern in eastern North Carolina. Sanctioned by the city, the duo took a pickup truck full of supplies including food, clothes and gift cards donated by residents. Hendrick said it was rewarding.
“Residents were inundated with water,” he said. “They were so happy to see us.”
On Feb. 7, Hendrick was honored at the second annual Law and Order Night for his service. The event, led by the American Legion Post 972 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1384, highlighted first responders in the community for their excellence and bravery.
Denis Verzi, the auxiliary police commissioner for Long Beach, has called Hendrick’s commitment and humility exemplary. “Brad is a true example of volunteerism,” Verzi said. “He volunteers for the right reasons.”
Hendrick, who lives just off the boardwalk on East Broadway, said his commitment to the auxiliary stems from his desire to help police officers. “We work together with the regulars,” he said. “They rely on me.” When Hendrick leapfrogs from intersection to intersection during parades, officers and auxiliary members often joke about his constant presence, asking him, “How many of you are there?”
