Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thinking of Patrolman Hartzell, his family, and his friends at this sad time.

Ofc. T. LeGarde
Univ. of Minn. Duluth PD

To the family, friends, co-workers, my deepest sympathies. Another fallen brother in blue, may God bless you and Ofcr Hartzell. This is proof again that there is nothing routine about traffic stops and nothing routine about the career we all choose to do, Ofcr Hartzell was murdered for the uniform that he wore, the job that he chose and the badge that he wore, he will never be forgotten.
The wicked flee when no man purseth while the righteous are bold as a lion.

Ofcr Joe Ahern
Medina PD, Medina,Oh

Rest in peace and know justice will be served. Our hearts and prayers go out to Patrolman Hartzell's family. It is a horrific tragedy. Please accept our condolences.

I have had police officers in my family my entire life. My young children have all been taught to be respectfull to the badge and we all often say a silent prayer when we hear a siren, for the safety of the officer and those they are going to help.

Thank you to all of the agencies and departments who helped in the apprehension of the suspect. You are all heros! My young daughter asked me the other day how they would find him if he had left the area like they reported on the news. I told her "Honey, all of the police work together, no matter where they live. No matter where he goes, he can't hide." She was very happy that I was correct this morning. (Thank you!)


Stay SAFE and remember we love you ALL!

Sister of a police officer
NE Ohio

Mike,

You were taken from us before your time by someone who would do harm rather than do what is right. Last night we did what was right and he is being brought to justice to answer for what he has done. Rest now my brother.

Deputy Sheriff
Pinellas Counbty Sheriff's Office

Mike Hartzell truly served and protected our community as a policeman and fireman with nobility and bravery. Mike is a hero for Youngstown and its citizens. He displayed his honorable character whether in or out of uniform. He was a kind and caring neighbor, and a beloved friend and role-model to my three young children. Our hearts ache from this tragic loss.

Anonymous

God Bless your family. You will not be forgotten!!!!

DISPATCHER DEAN DeMAIN
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIV POLICE DEPT.

Your courage and commitment to service makes other young officers proud. You, like the rest of us, were trying to make a difference in the world when your time was tragically cut short. My condolences to your family, Stephanie, and the brothers in blue at YPD. Enjoy your patrol in the Lords Kingdom...

Police Officer
Youngstown State University Police Dept.

Mike you were a fine young man! I am honored that I was able to know you. On the last day I saw you, as usual a smile graced your face. I am grateful that I was able to get to know you and Stephanie, if only on a small scale. Today I am proud to be a Youngstown Police Officer to have served with you, Michael Hartzell.

When a loved one becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure!

Det/Sgt. Patricia Garcar
Youngstown Police Department

God Bless Mike, his family and his fiance Steph; God give them the strength to get through this difficult time. God Bless the friends he left behind and grant them comfort in knowing that although he is not here in body, his spirit will live within us all forever. The Chance Family

To the family and friends of Patrolman Hartzell:

I hope that as you try to cope with this horrible loss, you can come together to comfort and support each other. This hero's life was cut too short.. always keep his memory alive! God bless you and help you through these difficult times.

Anonymous
Mountain View, CO

Rest in peace my brother. I share the sorrows of your family and friends. God Speed my friend.

Anonymous

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER HARTZELL, HIS FAMILY AND
CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

Another officer lost tragically to the actions of a coward.

Rest easy brother and God bless your family.

A Brother in Blue

Ptlm
CPD, NY

dear mike,
you were a good person and a fine police officer. you are a tremendous loss to this police department. god bless your family.

police officer marc l. gillette
youngstown police department

You will be missed Officer Hartzell, May Gog bless you and your family in this time of grief

Bryan Carlson
Berlin Police Department, PA

My prayers and condolences go out to the family of fallen Patrolman Michael Hartzell. To hear of this tragdey brings heartfelt sorrow upon the law enforcement community.
May god now watch over Patrolman Michael Hartzell as he did the citizens of Youngstown. May god also bless and watch over each member of Youngstown Police department and their families. God Bless

Officer Scott Alexander
Columbus Division of Police Columbus, OH

God speed brother. We'll continue the fight for you and always remember you.

Deputy Greg Meier
Mahoning County Sheriff's Office

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Patrolman Hartzell for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

Rest in Peace and know your dispatchers are feeling your loss as much as your fellow officers.

Wendy Stodder,Dispatcher
Polk County Sheriff's Office,Bartow,Fl

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Michael be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Patrolman Hartzell's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out especially to his fiancee. I know exactly how you feel. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Michael is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Michael was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - E.O.W. (01/03/03)

On April 29, 2003, we lost an angel on earth. Michael T. Hartzell was an extraordinary human being who will forever remain in our hearts. A true friend who will always bring a smile to the faces of those he touched. He will be missed always and cherished forever.

Kerri Dixon

Rest easy brother. You will not be forgotten.

Andi-CJ Student

You don’t know what you have until it’s gone is a popular phrase, spouted off as good advice, or said in lieu of something more meaningful, but today that phrase means more to me than it ever has before. Far too often we fail to recognize the efforts of others, shadowed by the trivial events of our self-centered lives. It’s a shame how people take things for granted, how easily we forget what goes on behind the scenes- until some tragedy brings it to center stage. Every day people go about their lives, doing what they need to do, doing what they deem important. Little do we realize the important work that is done each and every day by the men and women in uniform. Despite the adversity they uphold their duty to serve and protect. Just as the catastrophe at the World Trade Center brought New York’s finest to the spotlight, the senseless slaying of officer Hartzell brings Youngstown’s finest to the focus of our thoughts and prayers. I know that tonight I will have an extra prayer for my family and friends who serve this city, and every city.

Anonymous

God bless you Officer Hartzell, you will not be forgotten, your fellow Officers will bring your murderer to justice. This is a sad day for the Law Enforcement family.


A Brother in blue

Master Ofc. Don Hurley
Eloy Az. Police Department

To the family and friends of Patrolman Hartzell, I offer my deepest condolences and offer you my prayers in your time of sadness and grief. To Patrolman Hartzell, God Speed my brother, you will never be forgotten and you are one of:
"Our Finest"
Not like the cops and robbers on a prime time TV show, nor like the sheriff in the old wild west who would face and shoot the foe, the officers who guard our streets are mortals, as we all, who choose to work for a greater good and in their work stand tall. Standing a hedge against the forces that seek to hurt and kill, each day they risk body and mind, their duty to fulfill. And when the dreaded call goes out that one of them is down, with loyalty and speed the fraternity gathers 'round. They protect us from ourselves, they protect us from each other; no finer service can be performed than to stand in harm's way for another.

Author Unknown

Officer Douglas Sapetti #473
Springfield(IL) Police Department