An Aberdeen Police Department detective lost his battle with cancer Thursday, becoming the fourth Harford County officer to die in the last two weeks.
Sources confirmed Thursday evening that Det. Mark Franklin died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
According to a statement from FOP Lodge 128 released in June following a fundraiser for Franklin, he was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.
Franklin served as an investigator with the agency’s crime scene investigation unit.
Jason Neidig, president of Harford County Municipal Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 128 and an officer with the Aberdeen Police Department, released the following statement:
“I am deeply sad hearing about the loss of Officer & Brother Mark Franklin. He was a top notch crime scene technician. He was admired by crime scene techs all over the state. This has been a terrible month for law enforcement however nothing will break our thin blue line, nothing. We are a family like no other.”
Franklin’s death came as his department was reeling from the Sept. 8 off-duty death of Ofc. Charles Armetta, the agency’s K-9 officer. Armetta died after falling nearly 50 feet from an elevated portion of I-95 in Baltimore City.
Two Harford County deputies have also died in the line of duty this month. Cpl. Charles Licato died in the early morning hours of Sept. 6 in a single car crash in Darlington on his way to his home in Cecil County. Licato’s father, Donald, recently retired as a detective with the Aberdeen Police Department.
Harford County Sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Ian Loughran died after midnight on Sept. 13 of a heart attack at his home, symptoms of which began during Licato’s funeral the previous day.
Two retired Sheriff’s Office deputies have also passed away this month. Former Harford County Sheriff and Maryland State Police Major Ted Moyer died Monday evening after what both agencies called “a long illness.” Also, Ronald C. Petty, 62, of Havre de Grace died Sept. 9 after battling multiple myeloma. He served seven years with the Sheriff’s Office and also had a 30-year career with the Maryland State Police.
Check back with The Dagger for updates to this breaking story.
Rest In Peace, Mark. You will be missed by not only your family, but your Brothers and Sisters at Aberdeen PD. God Bless!!!
Jason Neidig
President
RIP Detective Mark Franklin.
Sorry to read the news of the loss of another LEO. Here I was being upbeat because everyone from the Sheriff’s Office woke up on this Thursday morning without incident. RIP Det. Franklin.
There was another Harford County law enforcement officer that passed away on September 9, 2012 bringing the total to 6 officers lost between September 9th and September 20th. There were two from Aberdeen PD, two from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and two from the Maryland State Police that also worked for the Harford County Sheriff’s Office after their retirement from the State Police.
The one that was missed is:
Ronald Cecil Petty, age 62, of Havre de Grace, MD, passed away on September 9, 2012 at Gilchrist Hospice after a lengthy battle with Multiple Myeloma. Born in Havre de Grace, he was the son of the late Cecil Franklin and Mary Elizabeth Smithson Petty. A 1968 graduate of Bel Air High School, he retired after 30 years with the Maryland State Police and had also worked seven years for the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.
Thanks, Terry–I’ve added Mr. Petty’s name to the story. I had initially meant to include him, but forgot to do so when posting the story. Good catch, much appreciated.
Glad you added this he needs remembered hopefully they will add his name to the article this month has just been awful
What a sad month for Harford County law enforcement. My prayers go out to Det. Franklin’s family.
Welcome home you good and faithful servants, welcome home. Heaven is a little bit safer with these guys there. I didn’t know but two of the officers we have lost, those two were very special to my family. They either trained, or were trained by one of the best. They all are keeping watch on us.
And Don was one of the best!!! Take care of Officer Franklin….he’s new in Heaven….
Condolences to the family and Aberdeen Police Officers….
All … keep your faith…God is with us All
Mark Franklin was a great human being, super professional police officer and a great family man. It is a great pleasure to have known and to be able to refer to Mark as a friend. Ww have lost a great one and I for one will miss him greatly.
Our Hearts are broken, but we will see you again in Heaven.
Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to us.
Love & Prayers,
Jimmy T & Judy