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Incident
Police Officer Charles Hartman drowned while attempting to rescue a canoeist who was stuck in a tree on the Blue River between Holmes Road and West 143rd Street in Kansas City, Missouri. The man had climbed into the tree five hours earlier after his canoe capsized during a severe storm that moved through the area. During the rescue attempt Officer Hartman, who was in scuba gear, was struck by a log and knocked unconscious. Other members of the rescue team immediately attempted to rescue him. He was eventually pulled from the river and flown to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officer Hartman was a member of the Lee's Summit Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team. Officer Hartman had served with the Lee's Summit Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hartman gave the Lee's Summit Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lee's Summit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hartman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Charles is the only officer of Lee's Summit Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 242 officers lost to accidents in MO, 29.2% of the 829 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer in MO was lost to accidents, the 69th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1983, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 30. Of the 226 lost to accidents in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 42; the middle age was 33. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Charles was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 30. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.9% of these deaths in MO; August holds the most, 12.8%. Sundays: 12.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lee's Summit Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 829 deaths in MO, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lee's Summit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.