Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mike, you served as a Volunteer Fireman, an EMT and a Youngstown Police Department Officer. You did all in the highest professional manner and always with a contagious smile. You loved to serve and lived to serve, now you serve with God as one of his "Angels". May you rest in peace and may your family and fiance' be in peace knowing you are in God's arms.

Captain (Retired) John Tomaino
Mahoning County Sheriffs Office

On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State University Police Department, our thoughts and prayers to the Hartzell family and the Youngstown Police Department.


"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."
Hebrews 6:10

Virginia State University Police Department

Officer Down
I never Dreamed it would be me,
My name for all eternity,
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more a face.

"In the line of duty, " I hear them say:
My family now the price to pay.
My folded flag stained with their tears;
We only had those few short years.
The badge no longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest.
My sword I pass to those behind,
And pay they keep this though in mind.

I never dreamed it would be me,
And with heavy heart and bended knee,
I ask for all here from the past:
DEAR GOD, LET MY NAME BE THE LAST.

Rest in peace Mike. You will be missed by all

Dispatcher Jennifer Danchise
Boardman Police Department

the lost of another fallen brother, i lost alot of friends weather i knew them or not, but micheal hartzell had a vision to help more than himself , but a needed country.

LT. Donald Turner
U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp

Mike, you were a truly special human being and your fellow officers and firefighters have suffered a tremendous loss...and of course also your family and friends. A piece of you remains in all of our hearts because you touched everyone you knew.. and even those you didn't. You are with god now and I like to think you are a guardian angel of many, especially your police and fire brothers. I will miss you so very much!

Samantha Scardina
Lane LifeTrans Paramedics & Lifelong friend

My thoughts and prayers are with the Hartzell family and the Youngstown P.D. My God put his loving arms around all of you and give you stringth.
Deputy Brad L. Myers
Jay County Indiana Sheriff Department

Deputy Brad L. Myers
Jay Co. Indiana Sheriff Dept.

My Thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Hartzell's Family, friends and co-workers. Mike is with our Father in heaven, looking over all who loved and knew him. May God bless his family, friends and all of YPD.

Retired Ptlm. Jim Pastore
Boardman P.D. / Former YPD officer

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. We are all family in this job. In pace requiescat, Rest in peace! Keep a watch on the rest of us as we go on shift each day.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice." (American Indian Prayer)

Isaiah 40:31

Officer Kimberly Moses
MTSU Campus PD, TN

To Officer Michael Hartzell's family and friends, also fellow officers,
My family and I would like to send our deepest symphayhy, and let you know our prayers are for you and you'r loss. We would also like to comend the officers who led to the capture of the ruthless and selfish person who took a hard working police officer from our world. May god be with you and you'r loved ones in you'r time of need. And may god have mercy on that evil persons soul cause he's gonna need it. God Bless You All Who Put You'r lives on the line to protect ours. Thank-you The Figinsky Family Lake Milton,Ohio

Tracy Figinsky
Local Citizen

Mike,
I find myself thinking alot about the times we worked together, things we talked about, or how just that morning you were joking with me about that car I towed. It had never crossed my mind that that would be the last time I would ever see you...
My heart goes out to the Hartzell family, Stephanie, and all those who had the honor of knowing Mike.
Rest easy my brother you will be remembered always.

Ptlm. Jerry Fulmer
Youngtown Police Department

Scholars say at the end of time.
A great battle of good and evil will ensue.
That is why..The Almighty God.
Takes the bravest of our brothers and sisters in blue.

May the Almighty God...hold you and yours near.

Cpl. James J. Crawford
Lower Providence Twp Police Motor Unit , Montg. Co. PA.

Mike's smile is now lighting up heaven...My heart goes out to MaryKay, Howard, Kevin, and Stephanie and to all of the Hartzell Family, YPD&CJFD Brothers and Sisters. It was an honor to work with you Michael and now as you serve your watch in Heaven May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Sandy Martz, Communications Supervisor
Canfield Police/Cardinal Joint Fire District

To all of the loved ones of Ptl. Michael Hartzell, all of us at the Boardman Police Department share in your anger and mourning - please know that you are not alone - nor will you ever be. We will keep his memory and great efforts alive when we put on our uniforms. Take comfort in knowing he is still on patrol, now guarding each of us.

During this time, I will shine a blue light in honor of his memory.

Ptl. Jack Cochran, Boardman Fop Lodge 43

Ptl. Jack Cochran
Boardman Police Department

My deepest sympathies go out to the family and fiance of Patrolman Hartzell. I shed tears when I heard of another fine officer taken from those who love him. God bless you brother, you will be missed but not forgotten.

Ptlm. Christopher T. Fry
Ohioville, PA Police Dept.

Mike there are no words to describe what you meant to us. From all your BROTHERS in blue we will always miss and Love you, GOD SPEED BROTHER

DEPUTY LOREN JOHNSON
Formerly of

This week we lost a dear family friend. It is times like these that you really reflect on how important your family and friends are. Mike was more than just a friend, he and Stephanie had become part of the family over these few short years that we were graced by his presence. Truly good-hearted people are hard to come by in this day and age, and unfortunately, we've lost one to senseless violence. Godspeed to you, Michael, we love you and miss you.

Eric Chance

REST IN PEACE, BROTHER. YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

PTL. MATTHEW ALANDT
BEACHWOOD, OH P.D.

My thoughts and prayers are with this young man's family and fiance at this time of sorrow. Know that you are not alone in your pain and grief. Others before you have suffered, and together we will all overcome. God be with you.

Lori Brown
Aunt of Deputy Renee Azure EOW 8/06/02

To all at Youngstown Police Dept.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. His death is not in vain and his memory will live on in all who wear a badge. May God Bless his family and your Dept.

Sincerly,
Patrol Ofiicer Chris J. Rohner

Patrol Officer Chris J. Rohner
Licking Memorial Hospital Police Dept.

THIS IS SAD TO SEE A BROTHER OFFICER FROM OUR AREA DOWN... MAY HE REST IN PEACE FOREVER GOD/BLESS

GARY EVANS CHIEF OF POLICE
ROGERS POLICE DEPT., ROGERS OHIO

Officer Hartzell, may you rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with your fiancee, family, and friends.

PATROLMAN RICH WEINER
COLUMBUS DIVISION OF POLICE

Michael was truely a special person. I had known him since elementary school, and at every stage of his life, he was a kind, funny, happy, and sweet person. MIKE DEFINED THE TERM "PUBLIC SERVANT." He was not only a Police Officer, but was also employed part time as a Firefighter / EMT in Canfield since 1996. HE LIVED HIS LIFE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, and in so many ways. He was such a loyal friend. He was going to be a groomsman in my fiance's and my wedding this July. We will be sure to honor him that day for being such a great friend.

Mike, we will love you forever and will never forget you!!!!! Rest in peace buddy!!!

Disp. Nicole Scardina
Canfield Police & Fire Dispatch

Rest in peace brother. My thoughts are with your family and co-workers.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

To the Family of PATROLMAN MICHAEL HARTZELL,
I share in your grief as my department and I have recently lost a fellow brother in law enforcement and partner. My heart and prayers go out to your family. Be aware that all of us in law enforcemet feel your pain.

GOD SPEED, PATROLMAN MICHAEL HARTZELL...

Deputy Kreg Costa
Broward County Sheriff's Office

Rest in peace blue angel.