'He loved being a police officer:' Milwaukee Police Officer dies due to 'health related issues'
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Police Department held a procession for Officer Mark Lentz Thursday.
He was still an active member of the department, even after suffering an injury on the job.
The Milwaukee Police Department says the 18-year veteran of the department died Wednesday "due to health related issues."
In a statement, the department said:
"Mark had, he had a drive for duty. He loved being a police officer, that’s what he wanted to do," said Officer John Hefley, "He took a lot of pride in being a police officer."
Hefley worked with Officer Lentz from the beginning of both of their careers.
"He was that guy that would give you the shirt off his back, he was always, he would help you out with anything you needed."
Eventually the two were on the motorcycle unit together.
"The last fifteen years of our career, Mark and I have been on the motorcycle unit together," said Hefley.
Lentz was injured back in 2017 when a car hit him when he was trying to make a traffic stop.
Earlier this year, CBS 58 covered a fundraiser that was held for him to help with medical bills.
In a statement, Lentz's wife said:
Hefley said Lentz was escorted from the hospital to his home where he passed away with officers and his family by his side.
"It was very important to be there. It was very important not only to be there for his wife so that she still understands she’s part of our family and that we she will continue to be part of our family," said Hefley.
"I think it was important for Mark, too to be there for the family so that he knew we didn’t forget about him, we won’t forget about him."