Toledo police Sgt. Kevin Braun is coming back to Toledo $250,000 richer after winning The Glass House on Monday night.

The patrol sergeant, 34, took a 10-week leave from the Toledo Police Department to compete on the show. From the first episode, he was an instant favorite with fans Tweeting and lighting up Facebook fan pages with positive reinforcement.

Sergeant Braun made it to the final three this week — up against Erica and Andrea — ultimately being named the winner as his family, including 15-year-old daughter Samara, stood by to experience the big announcement.

"It doesn't seem real," the sergeant said on the show. He added that the money would used to "make so many people's lives better."

"I'm happy, I'm overjoyed, I'm shocked," the sergeant continued. "It's the most unbelievable experience of my life."

Before the winner was announced on the pre-recorded episode, the sergeant made a final plea for votes to the audience: "What is a prematurely gray cop from Toledo [supposed to] say about this? … I'm so proud of the way I've played the game and the bonds I've made … I will leave this house a much, much better person and you can't put any amount of money on that.

First Published August 21, 2012, 3:30 a.m.