Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mike was one of those people that you meet and just immediately love, whether you're close to him or not. I find myself deeply saddened by his loss. He had the most beautiful smile, his whole face lit up. His eyes smiled too. His smiles just made you feel good. I'm sitting here trying to think if I ever saw him not smiling, or ever in a bad mood. I don't think so. I can't imagine the loss Stephanie and the Hartzells are feeling now but know that you were so blessed to have had Mike in your lives for as long as you did. Most people are never so lucky.

Deputy
Mahoning Co. (Ohio) S. O.

Mike,
I cannot express in words the sorrow that I feel knowing that you are gone and i will never be able to see you or talk to you again. On many occasions did you make me fell better by just being around at work. I feel cheated that our friendship will not be able to grow in person. But I know that it will in thought and in prayer. Your were a great man and I am honored to have been able to call you my friend.

Patrolman Michael R. Cox
Youngstown Police Officer

May GOD bless you Mike, for making the ultimate sacrifice. May GOD keep you safe while you are on patrol on the streets of Heaven, while you wait for us to join you, when we get to the end of our watch here on earth.
May GOD bless us all, and keep us steadfast
Thank you Mike Hartzell, Badge #1085.

Deputy D.J.M.
M.C.S.O. Youngstown, Ohio

On behalf of the entire Struthers Police Department our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Hartzell, his family, friends, and co-workers.

God bless you Brother Hartzell, and may you rest in peace on Heaven's streets.

Patrolman Michael L. Faith
Struthers Police Department

The news came to me in Arizona about your death, and I reflected on the
time I met you and the times we talked. I will always remember your
sacrifice. You were a good man and you will be missed by all. Godspeed
to you as you continue your service in heaven to protect and serve. My
prayers our with Stephanie and your family.

Judah Nativio
Former Washingtonville Ptl.

I left my final words for mikey and his family a few days ago on this page. Now I want to take the time to send my deepest sympathy and wish all the best to his co-workers at YPD and Canfield fire and anyone else that may have worked with or known him.
"Carry on my friends, the lord has made his final call and mike was there to faithfully answer!"

Paramedic Scott Atkinson

To the family and friends of Mike Hartzell:

I have a brother and nephew who serve on the police force - I know every day that they put their lives in danger to keep our community safe.

I cannot even imagine the pain that your family is feeling today and will feel forever. I did not know Officer Hartzell - but from all of the tributes that I have read - it is not hard to know what a kind, loving , devoted person he was. All that knew him - will certainly miss him and his wonderful "laugh"

My prayers and sympathy go out to his parents, brother and fiancee'. May God help you through this very tough time.

It is a comfort to know that Mike will still be watching over all of us. May God Bless and Keep you.

Anonymous

A HERO’S POEM
There are heroes who walk among us
never looking for glory or praise
They don't seek recognition
for their thoughtful, caring ways.
Living lives of deep commitment
providing protection and calming fears
Steadfast with a quiet strength
through times of crisis and tears.
(unknown author)
Thank you to Officer Michael Hartzell
who put his life on the line, in order
to save and protect us...

Anonymous

When I start my tour of duty God,
wherever crime may be
as I walk the darkened streets alone
let me be close to thee
Please give me understanding
with both the young and old
let me listen with attention
until their story's told.
Let me never make a judgement
in a rash or callous way
but let me hold my patience let
each man have his say.

Lord, if some dark and dreary night
I must give my life
With your everlasting love
protect my children and my wife

Anonymous

Ofc. Hartzell - This weekend I was honored to represent my department at your viewing and service. While standing in line at the funeral home, I met some great officers from the area up there. I met even more at your service. From your family and friends, I gathered you were a great guy and officer. It saddens me that I returned to the place I spent summers as a kid only to attend a very sad event. You can be sure I'll be in D.C. next year to honor you during Police Memorial Week. I hope your family, fiancee, friends, and officers know many people care all over the nation. We truly are one big family. God bless, and keep a watch over us all; you are now a Guardian Angel.

PO3 Kristen McKenna
Montgomery County (MD) Police

To the family, friends, loved ones, and co-workers of Officer Hartzell, it is very difficult in times of a loss such as this and it is natural to put a question mark where the Lord has decided to put a period. Officer Hartzell was called home and like all good officers he answered the call. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sgt. Paul L. Grimes
Boardman P. D.

Mike, I have know you since High School and have had the fortune of calling you and your family my friends. I had the honor of being your brother through law enforcement. I got to meet your fiance Stephanie at the Sheriff's Dept. and become her friend as well. It was great that two people as wonderful as you had met. You have truly touched the lives of thousands of people. You have always been a HERO! YPD now has one of the greatest guardian angels watching over them. You will be missed Mike, I love ya buddy.

Ptl./ Dep. James C. Davis
Brookfield Twp. PD./ MCSO

Oh behalf of the Scioto County Sheriffs Office our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and the Youngstown PD for your fallen officer.

Dispatcher Phil Duncan
Scioto County Sheriffs Office Portsmouth, OH

On behalf of the Entire Scioto County Sheriffs Office our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Patrolman Hartzell.

Dispatcher Phil Duncan
Scioto County Sheriffs Office, Portsmouth OH

SAFELY HOME
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at Peace forever,
Safely home in heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus' love illuminated
Every dark and fearful glade.

And he came himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our father's will

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you home:
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!


I like to think Mike is safely home now, and waiting for all of us; his family, friends, YPD/CJFD brothers, and extended law enforcement and fire brothers.
You are safely home now, Mike.

Anonymous

My heart thoughts and prayers are with you, Stephanie, Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell, and Kevin. Please remember in this incredibly painful time how very much you are loved.
Michael was truly an extraordinary person. He was a hero far before his untimely death. Mike brought a smile to everyone's face. He was the sunshine that lit up even the darkest skies. His laugh was like thousands of angels singing. Michael not only protected the community from harm, but protected hearts from pain with his smile, his laugh, his friendship, his love. He was loved in life and will be loved and remembered ALWAYS. God Bless You Michael. May you be safe and warm in the arms of God now and may your family find comfort in the arms of angels here on earth.
-A

We will remember Officer Hartzell during prayers at my church tomorrow. May he rest in peace and honor.

Chaplain Susan Keppy
Lewiston Police Department, NY

Dear Officer Hartzell:
Another Angel has arrived in Heaven.
Thank you for your work here in the Mahoning Valley.
May your soul rest in peace. God Bless you!

C. Buccino

Till we meet after the last roll call and the last tour of duty is done, rest in peace my Brother your job is done ....... The city of Youngstown has lost fine officer and we will miss mike

Dep.Jim Duvall
Mahoning County Sheriff Dept.

Mikey,
To a person who made it easier for everyone to come to work. We all had good times together. After we both left our last job, It was still great to see you around town with a smile as you got out of your cruiser, and even better to hear you laugh. That will be missed but never forgotten!!!! My deepest sympathy to the Hartzell family and Stephanie.

paramedic Scott Atkinson

Our prayers are with the family, friends and brotherhood of policmen of Mike Hartzel. May he be a shine star in the heaven above.

Even though I never had the opportunity to meet him, the kind words of many peolple about him, make him a part of everyone's family. We share your tears and we share your
pain. He will be forever engraved in our hearts.

Mike rest in place and know that you had an impact on eveyones heart.

Anonymous

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY,FRIENDS AND ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EVERYWHERE,ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE YOUNGSTOWN POLICE DEPT..AS A MOTHER OF A YOUNGSTOWN POLICE OFFICER ,I PRAY EACH NIGHT FOR ALL POLICE OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS.I KNOW HEAVEN HAS GAINED A NEW ANGEL IN BLUE AND IS USING HIS WINGS TO SHIELD HIS FAMILY AND FELLOW POLICE OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS.GOD SPEED OFFICER MICHAEL HARTZELL.

I'M FREE

DON'T GRIEVE FOR ME, FOR NOW I'M FREE.
I'M FOLLOWING THE PATH GOD HAS LAID YOU SEE.
I TOOK HIS HAND WHEN I HEARD HIM CALL.
I TURNED MY BACK AND LEFT IT ALL.

I COULD NOT STAY ANOTHER DAY,
TO LAUGH, TO LOVE, TO WORK, OR PLAY.
TASKS LEFT UNDONE MUST STAY THAT WAY.
I FOUND THAT PEACE AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY.

IF MY PARTING HAS LEFT A VOID,
THEN FILL IT WITH REMEMBERED JOYS.
A FRIENDSHIF SHARED, A LAUGH, A KISS,
OH YES, THESE THINGS I TOO WILL MISS.

BE NOT BURDENED WITH TIMES OF SORROW.
I WISH YOU THE SUNSHINE OF TOMORROW.
MY LIFES BEEN FULL, I SAVORED MUCH.
GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD TIMES, A LOVED ONES TOUCH.

PERHAPS MY TIME SEEMED ALL TOO BRIEF.
DON'T LENGHTEN IT NOW WITH UNDUE GRIEF.
LEFT UP YOUR HEARS AND PEACE TO THEE.
GOD WANTED ME NOW; HE SET ME FREE!
(author unknown)

God bless the family,fiance' and friends of Officer Hartzell.

Anonymous

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Officer Hartzell's family and all those who knew and worked with him. Our prayers are with you always.

Ret. D/S B. Sheely & family
Youngstown Police Department

It often helps in trying times to know that others care, And often understanding words can eas the apin you bear....So may it help you know to know that others sympathize And keep you close in thought and heart more than you realize.
Praying for you loved ones and friends.
II Corinthians 13:11
The God of love and peace shall be with you
Psalm 147:3
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds

Anonymous