Ceremony honors 23 fallen officers

One by one, 23 yellow roses were placed in a wreath.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Flags ruffled in the breeze as police officers held their salutes and the bugler played "Taps."
The hands lowered when the bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" and bells tolled at St. Maron Church on South Meridian Road.
A riderless horse, followed by deputies holding a wreath with 23 yellow roses, one for each fallen officer, ended the solemn ceremony.
Tuesday's observance was in honor of Police Memorial Week. It was sponsored by Youngstown Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28, Youngstown State University campus police Lodge 200 and Mahoning County Sheriff's Department FOP Lodge 141. Police, city and county officials, retired officers and families were there.
Howard and Marky Kay Hartzell, whose son, YPD Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell, was shot to death in 2003, also attended the ceremony.
Nationwide, 146 officers were killed in the line of duty last year. The Hartzells will next attend a candlelight vigil Thursday in Washington, D.C., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Hartzell's name was added this year to the memorial, as was William Comm, known as "Bud," a YSU officer who died in 1975.
During the church service Tuesday, Detective Sgt. Carl Davis sang "Center of My Way" and "Amazing Grace."
Other participants
YSU Patrolman Shawn Varso and Deputy Candy Guzzy read the "last roll call" of the 23 officers who died in Mahoning County since 1891. For each name, a yellow rose was placed in the wreath.
Hartzell's rose was added to the wreath by his best friend, YPD Patrolman Chad Zubal, who saluted. The officer then made his way to Mary Kay Hartzell for a heartfelt hug.
Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, guest speaker, expressed respect for police officers, saying he sees their accomplishments and frustrations. The common pleas judge called them a brotherhood like no other.
"Thank you for all you do," Judge Krichbaum said. "Please take care of one another -- be safe."
The ceremony included YPD honor guard, commanded by Lt. Robin Lees. The honor guard -- Gerry Maietta, Jose Morales, John Patton, Tony Marzullo, Robert Patton, Sonia Wilson and John Prest -- in dress blues and white gloves, fired a shotgun salute.
meade@vindy.com