Steve Young, a Lieutenant with the Marion City Police Department and National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, died Thursday, January 9, of cancer. He was 49.

Young, a native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, had been with the Marion Police Department since February of 1976 and was actively serving as a lieutenant. Young graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy in 1996.

During his battle with cancer, many members of the Marion Police Department shaved their heads as a show of support to a man they called their partner and their friend.

"Lt Steve Young will be missed," expressed Marion Police Chief Tom Bell in a press release. "His friendship and leadership can never be replaced."

Young was a 26-year member of the FOP, and served as local president in 1980 and 1981, the State of Ohio President from 1988 to 1999, and was elected the National President in 2001.

"Steve Young spent his career fighting for the rank-and-file member," said Chuck Canterbury, the F.O.P.'s National Vice President. "In his eleven years as President of the Ohio State Lodge, four years as National Vice President and his all-too brief term as National President, Steve woke up each morning and went to work for the citizens of Marion City and the rank-and-file officers in every region of the country. He was as dedicated a man, an officer, and a friend as I have ever known."

Young was well known throughout Ohio and the United States. He had been appointed to select committees by Governor George Voinovich and Governor Bob Taft. He had also bee appointed to a White House committee by President Bill Clinton and was appointed to the Homeland Security Council by current President George Bush.

"The law enforcement community lost a great friend and leader today. Steve Young committed his life to protecting his community and to supporting law enforcement officers across our nation," Attorney General John Ashcroft said in a statement. "I am grateful for the contributions Steve made, and I am saddened by our tremendous loss. I offer my deepest sympathy to Steve's family at this difficult time."

During his career, Young helped create the Ohio Labor Council, with more than 8,000 members. The group aims to improve the effectiveness of management and labor negotiations within police forces.

Calling hours will be held at Schoedinger Funeral Home, 6699 North High Street in Worthington, on Monday, January 13, from 7pm to 9pm and on Tuesday, January 14, from 2pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm. There will be an FOP service on Tuesday evening at 7pm.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 15, at 11am at the Grace Brethren Church, 8225 Worthington-Galena Road, Columbus, with burial in the Old Mission Cemetery in Upper Sandusky. The funeral procession will travel north on State Route 23 to Waldo where it will turn onto State Route 423 and proceed into Marion and then on to Upper Sandusky.