By NICOLE LOGGINS/Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Brand was honored for his work with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Law Enforcement Explorer Post 561 on March 9 at the Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.

The William H. Spurgeon Award is given to individuals who have contributed significant leadership to the Explorer program. The sheriff’s office restarted its Explorer program in 2003 and Brand has been involved ever since. In the Explorer Program, Explorers are taught numerous aspects of law enforcement officers’ duties.

“(The award is) great. Of course, it’s not the reason I do what I do, but it is nice to be acknowledged with the work that you do for the youth,” Brand said. “It’s so important to spend time with the youth.”

The Alabama Law Enforcement Exploring Advisors Association nominated Brand for his work with Explorer Post 561 and for planning, developing and carrying out the ALEEAA Summer Law Enforcement Academy.

“It gave me a new outlook on life,” Brand said of his work with ALEEAA. “The small things that I can do to help do actually make a big difference. There are a lot of kids who come from non-traditional families and can’t afford extracurricular activities, but it’s free here.”

Since Brand began his work with the Explorer Program, he has led hundreds of youth ages 14-21 through the program as well as through summer camps, numerous explorer competitions and community activities.

“I want to see everybody succeed,” Brand said. “Of course, that doesn’t happen, but you get to see them grow into productive citizens. To help shape and mold them into productive citizens is one of the most meaningful experiences for me.”