More News

When lymphoma left Officer Mark Lightfoot too weak to go out on patrol, he would often talk to colleagues and community members about his desire to get back on the street.

"He was a fighter. You knew he was going to try to do anything [to get back to work]," said Vince Canales, president of the Prince George's County Fraternal Order of Police. "This county lost a great officer."

Lightfoot, 41, of Laurel died early Monday morning at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. He was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma, a rare type of lymphoma, in May 2008.

Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Lightfoot served in the Army and completed a tour of duty in Iraq before joining the Prince George's County Police Department in 2005. He was assigned to the District 5 station in Clinton after graduating from the police academy in 2006.

Acting Lt. Col. Craig Howard, former District 5 commander, said he learned from Lightfoot's parents that Lightfoot had wanted to be a police officer since age 7. Howard said he considered Lightfoot as not only a talented subordinate officer, but also a friend.

"He got several letters of commendation for the police work he did," Howard said. "I never heard Mark complain, not once, about being sick."

After Lightfoot was diagnosed with lymphoma, residents rallied around him. In 2008, community groups worked with police to organize a fish fry fundraiser, raising $4,426 to help Lightfoot pay for everyday expenses, from food and clothes to gas and medication, according to an article in The Gazette at the time.

Lightfoot's family in Pittsburgh was not available for comment by The Gazette's deadline. Canales said Lightfoot was not married and had no children.

Clinton resident Barry Schlossberg, who volunteers regularly at the District 5 police station, worked with Lightfoot on several occasions and described him as "a very dedicated officer." When Lightfoot was out of the hospital but not well enough to go on patrol, he was assigned to desk duty, Schlossberg said.

"He was so anxious to get back on the street," Schlossberg said. "I was very saddened to learn that he had passed away ... even under the circumstances, he always seemed to maintain a positive attitude."

Lightfoot was back on patrol for several months when his condition improved a year ago, according to current District 5 Commander Acting Maj. Jason Bogue, but he was back in the hospital by the fall.

"Mark was an outstanding person, and it's a huge loss," Bogue said. Because of Lightfoot's imposing physical presence and commitment to the job, he added, "[If] you walked into a serious call, you liked having him with you."

The viewing and funeral service will be held in Pittsburgh. Flowers can be sent to the House of Law Funeral Home, 9406 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. The phone number is 412-214-4943.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the University of Maryland Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation Unit, sent to the attention of Dr. Aaron Rapoport, at The University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 South Green St., Baltimore, MD 21201.The phone number is 410-328-6053.

ztillman@gazette.net