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| Power Broker: Sheriff's faith and resilient spirit sustain him in battle with cancer
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| By Beth Brelje
Pocono Record Writer
June 22, 2009
Todd Martin was hired as a Monroe County sheriff's deputy in 1982 at $3.10 an hour; he was voted in as sheriff for his first four-year term in 1995 and has continued in that role since. In 2004, Martin was diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer; he was given only two months to live.
Age: 50
Family: wife Terri; son Jared, 17; daughters Karli, 20, and Kelli, 13.
"They are my life. They are my rock."
Personal slogan: "You aspire to inspire before you expire." The line was sent to Martin anonymously when he was sick. He still thinks about it.
Baseball fan: New York Mets since at least 1969
Born in Glen Ridge, N.J., Todd Martin later moved to Key Largo, Fla., and finally to Pennsylvania, recruited as a soccer player for East Stroudsburg State College in 1979. He was a hot shot on the field and had an opportunity to go professional and try out with the National Soccer League as a goalie. But his father wouldn't let him. It wasn't a sensible job. Turned out to be a smart move. The league folded. Good thing Martin earned a degree in criminal justice and sociology.
While in school he worked part time at Lim's sport shop. Mr. Lim talked to Forrest Sebring, Monroe's sheriff at the time, and put in a good word for Martin.
He was hired as a Monroe County sheriff's deputy in 1982 at $3.10 an hour. "Can you imagine that? $3.10 an hour to carry a gun," Martin gave one of his hearty laughs. After his first raise Martin earned $5.56 an hour.
In those days the office handled about a dozen foreclosures a month. Now Martin schedules more than 100 sheriff sales each month. "This year has been higher than last year."
He attributes the increase to people who are living far beyond their means. "When I bought my house 20 years ago, you needed 20 percent down."
In recent years people purchases large homes with no money down. When home owners fail to make payments, there is no equity in the home so people don't care about it. They walk away, sometimes trashing the house first.
"There should be just as much love in a small house as in a big house. You don't need the built-in swimming pool, you just need to live within your means. It creates delinquent taxes and makes the area a blister," Martin said.
In addition to foreclosures, the sheriff's office handles court duties, prisoner transport and extraditions of prisoners from all over the United States. It also issues gun permits and operates the Senior Safety and DARE programs.
Sometimes they save lives. In 1988, Martin helped save the life a drowning boy in Stroud Township. Martin administered CPR, revived the youngster and later brought him a teddy bear at the hospital. The American Red Cross recognized Martin for his action.
He became chief deputy sheriff in 1988 and was voted in as sheriff for his first four-year term in 1995 and has continued in that role since. His current term ends in 2011.
"The sheriff is considered the chief law enforcement officer for each county. We're elected, We've got a report card every four years. We work for the people and are elected by the people." A consuming job, Martin sacrificed a lot of time away from family.
Then he got sick in 2004. Diagnosis: two months to live. Martin had a rare form of bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma. He set a goal to live long enough to see his daughter finish her field hockey season. And another goal, to see her graduate. Two weeks ago, by turning 50, Martin hit a milestone that once was in doubt.
Martin underwent a revolutionary treatment in which his own stem cells were removed and later, after chemotherapy, the cells were transplanted back into his body. Unlike a bone marrow transplant, there is no danger of rejection in this procedure.
In sickness Martin found himself surrounded by amazing strength. "I realized what family was all about. It's not an individual disease. It's a family disease. It changed my view on life."
Family, friends and co-workers supported him throughout the pain, fatigue and uncertainty.
Martin's daughter Karli raised more than $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society directly by selling red bracelets in her dad's name. While attending an awards ceremony for her accomplishment, the society's Allentown chapter announced that more than $60,000 had been raised indirectly through her efforts.
Recently, Martin agreed to sit on the advisory board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Allentown chapter. He is also on an advisory board for Pocono Medical Center and is assistant fire chief with the Stroudsburg Fire Department.
The multiple myeloma is in remission for now. Martin still gets treatment and hopes to make a difference in the fight against the disease by participating in clinical studies with the University of Pennsylvania State Medical Center.
In 2008, the cancer invaded his hip. Martin had a total hip replacement. He was recently diagnosed with painful fibromyalgia and suffers from fatigue these days, but it's hard to tell.
"Everyone says I put on a good game face. I'm very optimistic in life. I live day to day. I don't look into the future."
Whenever someone wants to talk about cancer, Martin takes the time to visit with them.
"I have a lot of faith. I believe there is a reason for everything. A lot of good has come out of sickness."
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