Retired Renton Police Sgt. Mark Day died Thursday,  Dec. 22, 2011, following a long battle with cancer.

 “Mark Day was a shining example of the best this city has to offer,” said Renton Mayor Denis Law.  “Mark’s contribution to the Renton Police Department through the years has been significant. We will all miss his enthusiasm and positive attitude, and our condolences go out to his family and friends during this sad time.”

Day graduated from Renton High School in 1968. While at Renton High School, Day was student body president his senior year, chosen for the high school All-American Football Team in 1967 and was captain of the football and track teams in both 1967 and 1968.

Day attended and graduated college from the University of Washington in 1972, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and was a first-team football player during his four-year full athletic scholarship at the UW.  While in college, he married his his- school sweetheart, Marcia Medlang.

After graduating from college, Day worked as a driver and salesman for local beverage distributors.  At age 38, he made the decision to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Day graduated first in class overall in 1987 from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Law Enforcement Academy, and joined the Renton Police Department later that year. Day worked for the Renton Police Department for 23 years, retiring Oct. 31, 2010.

During his career at the Renton Police Department, Day rose through the ranks, eventually becoming an Acting Commander and ultimately a sergeant in the Investigations Division.  Day was selected by the Renton Police Department as the Employee of the Quarter twice: first in 1997, and again in 2008.

In 1990 Sergeant Day was awarded a position on the Renton Police Department Canine Unit, and was assigned a German Shepherd puppy named Buck as part of the City’s “Puppy Program.”  K9 Officer Buck partnered with Day, until Buck dog retired from the police force to live out his days with the Day family.

  “Marcia [his wife] was the love of his life,” said Renton Police Commander Katie McClincy, “but Buck was his baby. Mark’s attitude was always positive, and he did his police work with compassion towards everyone.”  Day went on to lead and train the Renton Police Department Canine Teams, ultimately becoming a Master Canine Trainer in 2001.

Through the years Sergeant Day received numerous Letters of Commendation, Letters of Appreciation from other law enforcement and public safety agencies, and letters from the public specifically thanking him for his outstanding police work.

Sergeant Day was regarded throughout the city as a positive, trustworthy, dedicated, enthusiastic, humble, and inspirational example of the police department in Renton.  In numerous evaluations over the years Mark Day was commended by his superiors as being “one of the officers that stand out as a true Ambassador for the department.”  Retired Renton Police Department Sergeant Lou Owen went so far as to say, “If ever the Renton Police Department and the City of Renton wanted to put on display the quality of employee by which they would like to be judged, Officer Mark Day would be on that pedestal.”

Day is survived by his wife of over more than years, Marcia Day; his three grown children: Natalie Day , Kyle (and wife Melisa) Day,  and Aaron (and wife Shaudin) Day;  four grandchildren: Josie, Owen, Harlan, and Ethan Day; and his brother and sister, Chester Day and Mary Gotti.

Chief Kevin Milosevich, who worked with Mark for 23 years, summed up the feeling of his department:  “Mark’s positive attitude since his diagnosis 15 years ago was an inspiration to all who knew him.  He will be missed.”

A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m., followed by a burial at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery and a reception. A Rosary will be said for Day at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, Dec.  28,  at 7 p.m.