Bringing out the best "in himself and those who served with him" was the mark Russ Long left in Santa Cruz. Over the course of a 26-year career, Long was a captain, shift commander and as an acting battalion chief. His crew was a great assignment - he kept things positive and helped his brothers and sisters advance. Long's commitment as a mentor didn't end at the fire station - in his off hours he coached Little League and youth soccer. In December, Captain Long lost a long and heroic battle with job-related cancer.