Lycoming County Chief Deputy Coroner, Mark Lusk, has announced his candidacy to seek the position of Lycoming County Sheriff, which will be vacated by the announced retirement of long time and well known Sheriff Charles Brewer at the end of this year.

Lusk, a republican, has served over 30 years in law enforcement in Lycoming County, most recently retiring as Chief of Police of Old Lycoming Township in 2007. He is a highly decorated law enforcement officer and administrator. Lusk cites his desire to complete a lifelong career in Lycoming County law enforcement if elected as sheriff.

A lifelong resident of Lycoming County, Lusk graduated from Loyalsock High School as president of his class in 1976. He is Board certified as Lycoming County’s Chief Deputy Coroner with specialized certification in Mass Fatality Incident Response.

Lusk began his career in law enforcement in 1977 having received his municipal police officer training (Act 120) in Allentown, Pennsylvania placing 3rd in a class of 44. At the Old Lycoming Township Police Department, Lusk was promoted through the ranks of patrol officer, patrol supervisor, criminal investigator/supervisor, corporal, sergeant and Chief of Police after being endorsed by Chief Salvatore Casale as his successor. During his law enforcement tenure at the Old Lycoming Township Police Department Lusk made hundreds of misdemeanor and felony arrests with an approximately 98% conviction rate for such crimes as bank robbery, burglary, assault, rape, arson, DUI, drugs, environmental crimes, embezzlement, attempted murder, murder, crimes against the elderly and child abuse.

Lusk cites his extensive leadership experience and his exceptionally broad based professional and civic background as making him the most qualified candidate for sheriff. Lusk also noted that the size of his operation at Old Lycoming Township Police Department, including personnel and budget, were very similar to that at the Lycoming County Sheriff Department.

Lusk is a graduate of Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Management from Penn State University’s prestigious Police Executive Leadership and Training Officer Leadership Schools (Polex/Posit).

Lusk has been certified as a municipal police instructor for the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission as well as the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, and has been certified as an expert witness for fire/arson investigation and child abuse investigation.

For over 20 years Lusk has provided instruction to Lycoming County law enforcement and fire personnel as an instructor for Bucks County Community College and Harrisburg Area Community College as well as students at our regional universities.

Between 1987 and 2007 Lusk received many commendations including the Governor’s 1st Place Highway Safety Award, Buckle Up 1st Place Award, (2) Old Lycoming Township Police Department’s Exceptional Service Award, Lycoming County Police Officer of the Year Award, National Grange Community Service Award, Pennsylvania State Burglar Alarm Association Award, the United States House of Representatives Distinguished Service Accommodation, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Exceptional Service Award, Lycoming County Department of Public Safety Appreciation Award, the 2007 YWCA Women Against Violence Unsung Hero Award, and the 2007 Lycoming County Commissioner’s Distinguished Service award.

Lusk is currently serving in his 8th year as the President of the Lycoming County Law Enforcement and Training Association comprised of 39 countywide member agencies and is currently in his 10th year as a board director and member of the Staff for Lycoming County Police Camp Cadet. Camp Cadet is held at Little League International Headquarters each summer for the youth of our County and sponsored by Lycoming County Brotherhood USA and the Lycoming County Law Enforcement Association.

During his law enforcement career, Lusk has served Lycoming County on such committees, boards and volunteer organizations as the Domestic Violence Task Force, Lycoming County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Mental Health Court Committee, Susquehanna Regional Emergency Medical Services (a Susquehanna Health Board) and Coroner Charles Kiessling’s Child Death Review Team. Lusk is known for his high impacting lectures given to Lycoming County’s high school students on “Good Choices-Bad Choices” from the eyes of a Coroner. Lusk was a major player in the Command Operation of the 1996 Flood and coordinated the many rescues and relief efforts of hundreds of residents in Lycoming Creek corridor.

Lusk’s additional civic service includes a 30 year life membership with Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company where he held the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief for 15 years, Vice President, Trustee for 24 years, emergency medical services chief for 26 years and was instrumental in design and relocation of the new fire station when relocation was required due to construction of new US Rt 15; Old Lycoming Little League Baseball coach, vice president and director; a coordinator for Lycoming County Community Service program and a member of the Lycoming County Safe Schools Committee.

Lusk is a member of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania State Sheriff Association, Saint Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, a 32-year life member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 52, a member of the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, Pa. State Fire Police Association and is a 31-year Emergency Medical Technician.

Lusk is proud of his many years of very close working relationships inclusive of such agencies as countywide law enforcement, countywide elected officials, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the Lycoming County D.U.I. Advisory Board and with residents throughout the county. He resides in Jersey Shore and has 1 daughter and 2 sons.