Renton Police Officer Remembered Thursday

The city of Renton announced on Christmas Eve the passing of retired Renton Police Sergeant Mark Day following a long battle with cancer. He died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011.

“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.”

Sergeant Day graduated from Renton High School in 1968. While at Renton, 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.

He earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Washington, playing under Head Coach Jim Owen. According to an interview with the Seattle PI Day was a starting safety for the Huskies in his first varsity season in 1969. The UW finished a disastrous 1-9, yet Day came away with many memories.

Stanford's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jim Plunkett didn't complete a pass on him. Legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes goaded him. "Woody Hayes, now there was a piece of work," Day told the PI. "If you got knocked down, he would yell at you, at an opposing player, and say: 'Are you going to let them do that to you? Get up!' He did that to me."

His UW career would take a fateful turn that spring. Running pass routes for a new quarterback named Sonny Sixkiller, Day crashed into a steeplechase inside Husky Stadium and tore up a knee, requiring surgery. He could no longer backpedal effectively. He returned as a reserve wide receiver. Day graduated in 1972, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and married his high school sweetheart, Marcia Medlang.

After college Sergeant 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. Sergeant 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. Sergeant Day worked for the Renton Police for 23 years, retiring October 31, 2010.

During his career Sergeant Day rose through the ranks, eventually becoming an Acting Commander and ultimately a Sergeant in the Investigations Division. Sergeant 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 Canine Unit, and was assigned a German Shepherd puppy named Buck as part of the City’s “Puppy Program.” K9 Officer Buck partnered with Sergeant Day until 1997, when the Buck 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.” Sergeant Day went on to lead and train the Renton Police Department Canine Teams, ultimately becoming a Master Canine Trainer in 2001.

The dymantic duo of Day and Buck arrested over 200 suspects including a person who kidnapped a four-year-old and two homicide suspects one in Tukwila another in Seattle according to Buck’s memorial page. Buck passed away on July 9, 2001 also from cancer.

The Seattle PI interview also stated a book was written about Day and Buck both dealing with cancer at the same time, with the animal dying in his arms. Ted Koppel, formerly of ABC-TV's "Nightline," interviewed him after learning that Day was going to have another of his tracking dogs blessed at his Catholic church, which stirred some national controversy.

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 he 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.”

It was the overall attitude that Day along with Kent Police Officer Greg Duffin and Tukwila Police Officer DJ Baskin started a foundation called Cops with Cancer. A group that included officers who had cancer because they felt the strength in the law enforcement community could fill voids and provide resources that other organizations were lacking. Since the foundation started both Officers Duffin and Baskin have passed away.

Sergeant Day is survived by his wife of over 40 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 fifteen years ago was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be missed."

A funeral mass will be held at on Thursday, December 29 at 10 a.m., followed by a burial at and a reception. A Rosary will be said for Sergeant Day at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, December 28 at 7 p.m.