ASU Police corporal passes away after illness

ASU Police Department Corporal Patrick Lindbergh was a 10-year veteran of the force who was known as an innovator throughout the ranks of the university’s police department.

Lindbergh passed away Monday, Feb. 8, after a brief illness. In honor of his life and service, flags throughout the four ASU campuses were flown at half-staff during the week of his passing.

“ASU’s Police Department is deeply saddened by the loss of Corporal Lindbergh," said ASU Police Department Chief John L. Pickens. "He was an exemplary example of the dedication, hard work and innovative spirit that makes police personnel effective and valued for their dedication to the department. He will be missed.”

Lindbergh was known for his upbeat attitude at work and for always being willing to go the extra mile in his job if it meant providing better police work for ASU. He was selected to join the department’s motorcycle unit in 2002 and was a member of the Firearms Instructor Team.

As one of the officers who helped save a young woman’s life in 2008, he was honored with the ASU Police Department’s Lifesaving award. Other crimes and issues that he was instrumental in solving included: lifting a fingerprint from a known criminal from a vehicle in Lot 59 that had been burglarized; arresting three suspects burglarizing a vehicle in a parking structure; and initiating improvements in signage along College Avenue at the Center Complex to make the street safer.

When President Barack Obama came to ASU to deliver the commencement speech, Lindbergh worked behind the scenes as the police special events coordinator to make sure that transportation was arranged for more than 150 officers working the event and that the proper equipment was available to handle the high-profile event.

New recruits to the ASU police force often were taken under Lindbergh’s direction when he served as the department’s Field Training Officer Program Coordinator. He was promoted to the rank of corporal in 2004, serving as a mentor and officer in charge in patrol operations. New media assignments became part of his job when he joined other members of the department in writing and taping iTunes podcasts that highlight topics affecting the ASU community.

Prior to joining the ASU Police Department, Corporal Lindbergh worked for both the City of Chandler and the City of Mesa as a Park Ranger and the Arizona Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer.  He was a graduate of McClintock High School in Tempe.

A viewing will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Feb. 11, at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 6747 E. Broadway Road, Mesa. Services will take place at 11 a.m., Feb. 12, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church, 1525 N. Power Road, Mesa.

Remembrances and donations to surviving members of Lindbergh’s family may be sent to: ASU Police Department, 325 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe, AZ 85287-1812. Lindbergh is survived by his wife and two children.