Officers honor fallen brethren

Twenty-four yellow roses were placed in a wreath to honor the fallen officers.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- It was a time for those left behind to remember.
Spent shotgun shells tinkled as they hit the pavement across from St. Columba Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon. The 21-gun salute fired by the Youngstown Police Department Honor Guard was followed by taps. Some in the crowd placed their right hands over their hearts.
Wednesday's observance was in honor of Police Memorial Week and sponsored by Youngstown Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28, Youngstown State University campus police FOP Lodge 200 and Mahoning County Sheriff's Department FOP Lodge 141. Police, city and county officials and families attended the service.
Church bells tolled as Cleveland Police Department bagpipers and drummers filed in to the cathedral on Wood Street. Positioned to the right of the altar, they played "Amazing Grace" as sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows.
"Fortunately," sheriff's Sgt. Aurea Montero said from the altar, "we've not lost any officers from the Mahoning Valley this year."
Last one lost from city
YPD Patrolman Michael T. Hartzell was shot to death April 29, 2003, the last time an officer from the Valley was killed in the line of duty. His parents, Howard and Mary Kay Hartzell, attended Wednesday's service.
YPD Patrolmen Frank Rutherford and Jason Simon and YSU Patrolman Shawn Varso read the "last roll call," the names of 24 officers who died in Mahoning County since 1891. For each name, a yellow rose was placed in a wreath and a candle was lighted.
Hartzell's rose was placed by his best friend, YPD Patrolman Chad Zubal, who then saluted. Holding hands, Hartzell's parents accompanied Zubal to the altar and Mary Kay Hartzell lighted a candle for her son. She hugged Zubal before retaking her seat.
"The anniversary date was tough," Howard Hartzell said after the church service. "This grabs us the most, to see all the young ones" like Zubal and Patrolman Brad DiTullio, he said, joking that he's "kind of" adopted DiTullio.
Judge's words
Hartzell said he was especially touched by Judge R. Scott Krichbaum's remarks as guest speaker. The Mahoning County common pleas judge presided over the trial of Michael Hartzell's killer.
"As a judge, I admire what police do in performance of their duty," Judge Krichbaum said. "Even as a criminal defense attorney, I admired what they do."
The judge said not a day goes by that he doesn't think about the Michael Hartzell case and the officer's family. He said officers put their lives on the line and ceremonies such as Wednesday's brings that into sharp focus.
"Keep up the good work. Take care of one another. Be safe," he said to the officers gathered to remember their fallen comrades.
Dedicated to families
YPD Detective Sgt. Rick Alli, who joined the department in 1975, said he didn't realize the type of worry families go through until his eldest son became a police officer. He said Wednesday's memorial service was dedicated to the families of the fallen officers.
YPD Chief Jimmy F. Hughes said he has a lot of good and sad memories that flood back after 30 years on the job and he looks forward to a day when memorial services won't be needed. Hughes said he was the officer in charge when Michael Hartzell was shot in his cruiser downtown.
"Blessed are the peacemakers -- for they shall be called the children of God," Deputy Sheriff Glenn Kountz said in church. "We honor those who have given their lives."
meade@vindy.com