By Lisa P. White
Contra Costa Times
MARTINEZ, Calif. — Police Sgt. Brian Carter, whose illness inspired hundreds of Contra Costa County residents to join the national bone marrow registry last year, died June 22 from cancer. He was 37.
Carter was diagnosed two years ago with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells. After chemotherapy and radiation treatment, his cancer went into remission.
When the cancer returned last summer, the police department organized a bone marrow drive in hopes of finding a donor for Carter, who needed a stem cell transplant.
More than 500 people registered with the National Marrow Donor Program during the drive last July. Although the bone marrow drive did not produce a match for Carter, by August a donor had been found. Carter received the transplant and talked about returning to work in May before he fell ill again, Martinez Police Chief Gary Peterson said.
Peterson described Carter as very smart and quiet.
“He didn’t say much, but when he did it was something profound,” Peterson said. “He didn’t mince words. If you had a question and you wanted the straight scoop, he was your guy.”
Carter, a Fairfield resident, began his law enforcement career in Martinez as a reserve police officer in 1996. Two years later, he joined the Benicia Police Department, but returned to Martinez in 2000. Carter rose quickly through the ranks in Martinez where he was a SWAT team leader, detective and corporal. He also taught firearms safety and tactics.
Carter’s death comes nearly three years after Sgt. Paul Starzyk was killed in the line of duty.
“It’s tough on the department, it really is. Paul Starzyk and Brian Carter were both range masters, both SWAT team leaders and they were buddies,” Peterson said. “The only solace we find is we think they’re together in heaven.”
Carter is survived by his wife, Tiana, and two young sons; his parents Karen Carter and Chip Carter, his grandmothers and several aunts and uncles.
Copyright 2011 Contra Costa Newspapers