Remembering fallen officers

The ceremony honored a city policeman who was killed two weeks ago.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell's cruiser 207 is working heaven's West Side.
The imagery conjured up by Police Chief Robert E. Bush Jr. touched the 300-plus crowd inside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, some of whom dabbed tears from their eyes Monday.
Hartzell didn't join the Youngstown Police Department to die, he joined to help, the chief said of the 26-year-old officer killed in the line of duty two weeks ago today.
Hartzell, who worked the West Side beat, was shot and killed in his cruiser downtown, two blocks from the police station, his destination to drop off reports.
Martin L. Koliser Jr., 30, of Boardman has been charged with aggravated murder.
Bush said "a killer forged a chink in our armor."
The chief described Hartzell as a fine young man with a sense of duty. His death "destroyed our false sense of security."
About the ceremony
Monday's gathering in the church was in honor of Police Memorial Week and sponsored by YPD Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28 and the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department FOP Lodge 141.
Police, city officials, retired officers and families attended.
Hartzell's photo rested on the altar, which was bathed in soft lights. Lighted candles lined each of the 12 stained glass windowsills.
YPD Chaplain Monsignor Robert J. Siffrin, in an opening prayer, asked God to accept into safekeeping the officers who gave their lives. He said particular prayers went out to the Hartzell family.
During the somber ceremony, Detective Sgt. Carl Davis sang emotional renditions of "My Soul is Anchored" and "Amazing Grace." Davis said he was one of Hartzell's first supervisors and was encouraged to see the strength of the Hartzell family.
Roll call and roses
Patrolman James Rowney and Deputy Glen Kountz read the "last roll call" of the 22 officers who died in Mahoning County since 1891. For each name, except Hartzell's, a yellow rose was placed in a ceremonial wreath at the base of the altar. A white rose marked Hartzell's death.
Nationwide, 148 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2002. Thursday is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, when flags will be flown at half-staff.
Hartzell's parents, Howard and Mary Kay, and fianc & eacute;e, Stephanie Harchar, left the church in tears.
They stood in a cold misty rain as the wreath was placed in a memorial courtyard next to the church on Via Mt. Carmel by Kountz and YPD Detective Sgt. Patricia Garcar.
Nearly 200 law enforcement officers from local, state and federal departments stood nearby, silent and somber. Garcar saluted with tears in her eyes.
The ceremony included the YPD honor guard, commanded by Lt. Robin Lees. The honor guard -- Gerry Maietta, John Vogrin, Jose Morales, John Kelty, Mark Crissman, Tony Marzullo, Barry Ervin and Bill Ward -- in dress blues and white gloves, fired a shotgun salute.
The smell of gunpowder hung in the chilly air as taps played, followed by "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes.
A father's words
Afterward, Howard Hartzell, his jacket in hand, met with reporters to express his thanks to the community for the outpouring of support his family has seen the past two weeks.
He said the two words -- "thank you" -- didn't seem to be enough.
He said his family couldn't believe how many people lined the funeral procession route -- including kids in police hats -- and how many cards and letters were sent offering condolences.
He called it an awesome tribute for his son, who put on his uniform, went to work and never complained.
Hartzell said he's sure his son's not comfortable with all the tributes, "but it will live in my heart forever."
There should be no blame assigned for what happened, he said.
"It was just meant to be. That may sound cold," the grief-stricken father said. "Michael was called to duty."
Hartzell said he and his wife are getting back to their normal routines, which helps. Still, "I know I'm going to turn every time I hear a siren," he said.
The memorial program included a special welcome for Detective Sgt. John Elberty, Patrolmen Rick Baldwin and Ken Blair and Deputy Jeff Duzzny, all of whom served in Operation Noble Eagle.
meade@vindy.com