Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Hartwick was shot and killed when he and two other deputies went to a local farm to arrest a man for shooting two young boys, killing one. As they approached the house the man opened fire on them, striking Deputy Hartwick in the head. The suspect surrendered to a posse in Ralston, Oklahoma, but then opened fire on the posse members and severely wounded one of them, before being subdued.
The suspect, a 65 year old farmer, said he shot the boys because they were bothering him. The boys were returning a chain they had borrowed without his permission to pull their horse free from a nearby ditch he was stuck in.
The suspect pleaded self defense in all four shootings. A jury reduced his charges to manslaughter and he was given a four year sentence. After serving nine months he was granted a leave of absence. He was pardoned by Governor William H. Murray in September of 1934. On September 20, 1937, he shot and killed a neighbor near Pawnee following an argument. Five weeks later he was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Hartwick had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
Survivors
Deputy Hartwick had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-77F634D4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Edward. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hartwick gave the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pawnee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hartwick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Edward Otto Hartwick is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Otto Hartwick's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Otto Hartwick Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Otto Hartwick is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Otto Hartwick was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Pawnee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
