Mike "Mikey" Young, who spent nearly five decades with the Montgomery Police Department, died Sept. 27 after an illness. He was 76.

The City of Montgomery announced Young's passing in a tribute written by Matthew Vanderhorst, calling Young "a trusted friend, mentor, storyteller, and constant presence" in the department. Young joined Montgomery as a patrol officer on Oct. 1, 1979, after working as a security officer at Bethesda North Hospital.

He never left.

Young specialized in crash investigations, becoming the department's primary technical crash investigator and reconstructionist for fatal crashes. The city's tribute noted his photography skills, college degree in English literature and dedication to accuracy made him well suited to the work.

Among the cases Young handled was a December 1982 plane crash at Main Street and Cooper Road that killed six people, including four FBI agents, according to the city's account.

In December 1989, Young was the first officer to respond to an alarm at Society Bank, now Key Bank, where an armed robber shot him in the chest and hand, according to the city's tribute. His ballistic vest stopped several rounds, but he sustained significant blunt trauma to his chest and a severe hand injury. Young returned fire, and the suspect later was captured, arrested and convicted of attempted murder and robbery.

Despite encouragement to seek promotion, Young declined. He loved patrol work. When he retired from patrol in 2006, he immediately started a second chapter as a police clerk, a position he held until his death.

The city's tribute said Young served the department for 47 years under six police chiefs. His obituary, published by Strawser Funeral Home, listed 46 years of dedicated service. The difference may reflect whether his time as a clerk is counted alongside his patrol career.

Colleagues remembered small, steady kindnesses. Young was often the first to arrive each morning, carrying coffee for coworkers. He kept a drawer stocked with candy for colleagues and children visiting the Safety Center, restocking it with hundreds of pounds over the years.

Young, a Mason resident, is survived by his wife, Brenda Joyce Young, and brothers Richard and Bruce Young. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.

A graveside service was held Oct. 10 at Rose Hill Cemetery, 171 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati or the Freestore Food Bank.