STAUNTON, VA -- A Staunton Police Department officer has died after a nearly two-year fight with pancreatic cancer.

Mark Diehl died on Monday, February 11. He was a 20-year veteran of the police department.

Diehl's wife, Lisa Klein, is the department's public information officer.

Diehl commanded the department's criminal investigation unit and served as team leader for the critical incident response team.

Sergeant Brian Brown, with the police department, said officers will remember his legacy.

"Mark was just a true professional throughout his career here," Brown said. "He was a mentor with many, many police officers here in our police department. He will definitely, truly be missed around here."

A memorial service was held on Thursday.

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