Their acknowledgement wasn’t necessary. As a father, Sebald just wanted to feel better, to know that his boys — Brandon, 10, and Hunter, 8 — were OK.
“You just never know if you’re going to come safe,” said Sebald, a 15-year veteran of the fire department. “When I leave, I always think I’m going to be home in 24 hours, but you never know.”
On Tuesday morning, Warren County Sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Brian Dulle, 36, of Turtlecreek Twp., was killed during a high-speed police chase that began in Franklin and weaved through Springboro and Waynesville. He was struck while deploying stop sticks on U.S. 42 near Utica Road.
A public visitation will be held for Dulle from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Christ’s Church at Mason, 5165 Western Row Road. Services will be held at noon Saturday at the church. He will be buried in Lebanon Cemetery.
When Sebald heard the news that a Warren County Sheriff’s deputy had been killed, he hoped it wasn’t Dulle. Then, just a few minutes later, Dulle’s uncle called Sebald with the numbing news.
When Sebald arrived at the fire station Tuesday morning, firefighters lowered the flag to half-staff, and placed black bands over their badges. Dulle’s death struck close to home for Sebald.
Dulle’s father, Ed, coached basketball and football in Madison Local Schools, where Sebald attended. Ed Dulle sometimes brought his two sons to practice.
Years later, Brian Sebald and Brian Dulle found themselves working in public service, sometimes in the same county. Sebald recalled Dulle’s flamboyant personality and sense of humor.
He was “a great guy,” Sebald said.
Before Dulle worked in the sheriff’s office, he worked in the security office at the former McAlpin’s at Towne Mall in Middletown. Laurie Mitrovich of Centerville said she worked with Dulle in the late 1990s until the company was sold to Dillard’s.
Mitrovich quietly said she had “tons of memories” of Dulle and his wife, Abbie. She and other friends hosted a bridal shower for them.
She called Brian Dulle “a friendly and funny guy.”
His death was “devastating,” said the mother of two boys, 10 and 8. Before she went to bed Tuesday night, she peaked into their bedrooms.
“I wanted a good look at them,” she said.
Dulle was a graduate of Edgewood High School in Butler County and Miami University and also served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife and three children — Madelyn, 10; Emma, 7 and Jackson, 4. He also is survived by his parents Edward and Denise; and a brother and sister.
Dulle’s death has spurred an avalanche of emotion in the region and from throughout the country.
A fund has been set up where people can donate at Fifth Third Bank for Dulle’s three children. Friends of the family are organizing a benefit for Dulle scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. June 11 at the Warren County Fairgrounds Barn C, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon.
Thousands of people flooded various websites with messages of support for Dulle’s family.
Taylor and Ryan Shelton of Dayton turned to Legacy.com to let Dulle’s wife, Abbie, know she was in their thoughts and prayers. “We are continuously praying for you and your family. Find peace in knowing that your husband is in a beautiful place and watching over you now and forever,” Taylor Shelton wrote.
Gary Garber sent a message from Wisconsin: “Brian, you weren’t just a true friend, but the brother I never had. I will forever miss you.”
Randy and Nanette Caperton of West Carrollton wrote: “When a police officer dies in the line of duty, a little piece of the community dies as well. No words can relieve the pain you must feel at this time, but be assured that your son, husband and father will never be forgotten.”
Perry Davis of Franklin addressed Dulle directly in his posting: “Brian, the whole world will miss your shining light. Your shift here has ended and you start a new one up above. We will miss you greatly.”
Mourners also visited the “Rest in Peace Sergeant Brian Dulle” page created Tuesday on Facebook. By Wednesday afternoon, the page had drawn more than 6,600 followers.
They also left messages on the Facebook page dedicated to Maddie’s Hope, which raises awareness and money for childhood cancer. The nonprofit organization is named after Dulle’s eldest daughter, Madelyn, who fought a rare form of childhood cancer.
Staff Writer Eric Schwartzberg contributed to this report.
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