Lieutenant Mark A. Hildebrand L-17 (1950-2026)

Mark was born February 2, 1950 in Cincinnati to Lemuel N. and Marcella A. (Kroth) Hildebrand. He attended Elder High School and graduated in 1968. He also attended the University of Cincinnati from 1976 to 1980, majoring in Business Administration.

Mark joined the United States Army on September 9, 1970. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, he attended Radio Teletype Operator training at Fort Gordon and was assigned to Artillery as a Radio Operator (Teletype) in Hanau, Germany. Specialist 4 Hildebrand was honorably discharged on April 1, 1972.

Mark joined the Cincinnati Police Division on July 1, 1973 in its 59th Recruit Class. On November 25, 1973, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 684, and assigned to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). On January 5, 1975, Officer Hildebrand was rotated to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). Two years later, he transferred to District 4 (4150 Reading Road). He transferred back to District 3 on November 4, 1979 and was assigned to what became known as the Greatest Relief. Aside from the quality of police work, the relief was replete with practical jokers and Officer Hildebrand was in the top tier. In 1984, he was one of two relief members to pioneer the concept of off duty details to work in large apartment complexes to supplement on-duty personnel. Within two years, eight members of the relief were promoted, including Mark to Sergeant on September 10, 1986. He was issued Badge S-40 and reassigned to District 1.

An outspoken proponent of 10-hour days, when he was promoted to Lieutenant and issued Badge L-17 on October 10, 1993, he was assigned to Patrol Bureau Administration, detailed to Planning Section, and assigned with Lieutenant Raymond Ruberg, another Greatest Relief alumnus, to study and make recommendations regarding a viable 10-hours schedule. He may be best known for applying the nickname of “Carpetland” to area of the offices of the Chief and Assistant Chiefs, still in use today. Lieutenant Hildebrand transferred back to District 3 on January 2, 1994. Due to roller coaster court decisions, he was temporarily demoted to Sergeant in 1994 but never stopped working for the citizenry. He was repromoted two months later. On October 22, 1995, Lieutenant Hildebrand was transferred to Police Communications Section. He was transferred to Patrol Administration on July 28, 1996 and detailed as the Assistant Commander of the Youth Services Section. Five months later, Lieutenant Hildebrand transferred back to District 4 and on August 10, 1997 took command of the Investigative Unit. From November through December 2000, he was appointed as assistant commander of the prestigious annual Robbery Task Force. While in ‘old clothes,’ he nearly ended up in a shootout during the singlehanded arrest of a recently released convict carrying a concealed firearm. His 2000 performance evaluation was summed up by the District 4 Commander, “One word summarizes [him] – outstanding!” A prior commander noted that he was, “the hardest working, most knowledgeable, conscientious, and dependable lieutenant I know.” Lieutenant Hildebrand retired on July 22, 2001 with 29½ years of service to his country and community and 48 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including six from four difference Cincinnati Police Chiefs, two from other municipal police chiefs, one from a Cincinnati Councilman.

In his retirement, Lieutenant Hildebrand moved to Florida where he became almost legendary in his athletic prowess at The Villages almost up to his death.

Lieutenant Hildebrand died on October 20, 2026 from complications after a heart procedure at the age of 76.

Lieutenant Hildebrand is predeceased by at least one brother, Cincinnati Police Captain Gary U. Neville. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Denise Lynn (Grady) Hildebrand. Other survivors include a brother, retired Cincinnati Lieutenant Roger N. (Debbie Dixon) Hildebrand, nieces and nephews Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge, retired Captains Michael U. Neville and Russell A. Neville, and retired Specialist Joyce M. Neville-Lipps, and retired Hamilton County Captain Richard A. Neville, and grandnephews Hamilton County/Boone County Deputies Robert C. Theetge, Hamilton County Deputy Eric J. LaEace, and Cincinnati Police Lieutenant Lucas Neville.

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