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Ride of Remembrance
500 motorcycles roar through Mahoning County to honor 27 fallen officers
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
Karen Metzinger’s late brother was not in law enforcement, but suffering his loss helped to deepen her empathy for the families of police officers killed while serving their communities.
She feels their pain and decided to turn it into a plan.
“[Police officers] do a lot for us and put their lives on the line every single day for us,” the Austintown woman said, referring to a main reason she participated in Sunday’s eighth annual Our Fallen Officers Memorial Run, which started at the Covelli Centre.
Metzinger and her husband, Jim, were among hundreds of motorcycle riders who took part in the 50-mile run throughout Mahoning County. The event was to honor the service and memory of Michael T. Hartzell and 26 other law-enforcement officers killed in the line of duty over the past 119 years. A few of those honored were from Steubenville.
Hartzell was shot to death April 29, 2003, while sitting in his cruiser in downtown Youngstown.
Roughly 500 motorcycles poured out of the facility onto Front Street to be in the run, organizers estimated.
Karen Metzinger said she was excited but a little nervous to participate for the first time in the event, which was sponsored by the Blue Knights of Ohio Chapter 27 and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 28, both of Youngstown.
Nevertheless, it’s important to show such support because police officers deserve more thanks than they typically receive, she added.
They really do a great job for us, Metzinger said.
Riders paid $15 each to be in the run, which took them through Campbell, Struthers, Lowellville, New Middletown, Poland, Springfield and Beaver townships and Canfield. The final destination was downtown Youngstown, where entertainment was provided.
Several speakers greeted attendees during a ceremony before they set out. The keynote speaker was Phil Rogers, president of the Blue Knights chapter.
Money raised will go toward helping people who have suffered a tragedy, illness or other need, as well as local animal shelters, Rogers noted. All proceeds will stay in the community, he continued.
Also speaking was Youngstown police Chief Jimmie Hughes, who asked the audience to not only honor fallen officers, but also their families and co-workers who suffered the loss.
“These are officers we want to give tribute to because they could be the next ones,” Hughes said, adding that he greatly appreciated the efforts of participants.
Additional remarks were from city Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-2nd; Elrico Alli, president of FOP Lodge 28; and Howard and Mary Kay Hartzell, Michael Hartzell’s parents.
“It was nice to have everyone come out to honor the fallen officers,” Mary Kay Hartzell said. “It’s hard to explain. I don’t want them to be forgotten.”
Mrs. Hartzell recalled her son as quiet and unassuming, someone who “died doing what he loved to do.”
Before joining the Youngstown Police Department, Hartzell, a 1995 Austintown Fitch High School graduate, was a firefighter with the Cardinal Joint Fire District, she noted.