In last week’s LION article encouraging volunteerism, I highlighted the Lycoming County Sheriff Mark Lusk’s early career that included thousands of hours of volunteer service. This was the foundation for a career in public service that will probably never be seen again.
A year after graduating from Loyalsock High School in 1976, Mark Lusk joined the Old Lycoming Township Police Department. He did his job well, which was shown by his continual promotions to Detective/Corporal and Sergeant, and at the same time, he received awards for his police work in community service, highway safety, arson investigation, murder investigations, and other areas.
In 1990, Lusk was recognized by the National Exchange Club as the Police Officer of the Year.
In 2002, after twenty-five years of service, Mark Lusk was promoted to Chief of the Old Lycoming Township Police Department.
This alone would be impressive, but at the same time, Lusk was at the same time engaged in other work.
In 1997, he received his PA certification for coroner work, and three years later, he became part-time Deputy Coroner for Lycoming County. After seven years in that position, he became full-time Chief Deputy Coroner.
Through all these activities, Mark Lusk stood out.
For example, in 2007, Lusk was recognized by the PA State House of Representatives for Exceptional Service, the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety, and even the Unsung Hero Award for Violence Prevention Initiatives from the YWCA.
The big step took place in 2010 when Mark Lusk became Lycoming County’s third elected sheriff in 44 years, receiving over 80 percent of the vote. Four years later, he would be re-elected (again with over 80 percent), and his experience was being recognized through the Commonwealth.
In 2016, he became vice president of the Pennsylvania State Sheriff’s Association; two years after that, he became president of the association.
However, after his third term election in 2018 (yet again with 80 percent of the vote), the biggest challenge would be a visit from the President of the United States (POTUS) in Williamsport. Lusk was one of the local commanders who would serve during the two POTUS visits (2019 & 2020) and the President’s son’s visit.
The preparations and POTUS visits impressed the Secret Service, which sent a very impressive appreciation to Mark for the professionalism that was shown by all those who protected the President. The assassination attempt in Butler, PA on July 13, 2024, revealed how important this kind of security was.
Everyone in the county should appreciate the protection we have year-round. There are 25 events in Lycoming County that require such support. These are such as the Little League World Series events, of course, but there are many others in the county; the Lycoming County Fair, Jersey Shore Town Meeting, the Veterans’ Day Parade, the 9/11 Memorial Ride, the Memorial Day Ceremony, etc. The standards are as high as they get — everything must be 100 percent perfect, or something bad could happen.
Mark Lusk has somehow mastered the ability to meet the responsibilities of the position, but at the same time, has a crew that works together like a family. Much of this was a product of Lusk’s personality, never looking at his position as a career as much as a calling.
Sheriff Lusk has done his job with excellence, and he has also done an exceptional job of preparing the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Department for his exit, which will be this year.
After decades of exceptional service, Mark Lusk is stepping down and supporting the candidacy of his Deputy Sheriff Eric Spiegel. Like Lusk, Spiegel is also a lifelong county resident and has a strong expertise from 22 years of experience in law enforcement.
On May 20th, the primary election will occur, and after fifteen years, Mark Lusk will not be on the ballot. But with Eric Spiegel in the wings, and a very highly committed and well-trained professional staff and deputies, our county will continue to be protected well. In the words of Peter Schutz, former CEO of Porsche, “Hire character. Train skill.” No better example of this can be found than the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office.
