Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Hartzell was shot and killed in an unprovoked attack in the downtown section of Youngstown, near Powers Auditorium, at 0220 am.
Patrolman Hartzell was returning to headquarters when he observed a suspicious vehicle in front of him at a red light. Patrolman Hartzell did not initiate a traffic stop but began to run the car's plate information. As he did so, the driver exited the car and opened fire on Patrolman Hartzell. Patrolman Hartzell was transported to St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect fled the scene after the shooting. He was arrested in Pinellas County, Florida, two days later by members of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the FBI. The suspect was found guilty of capital murder in November 2003 and sentenced to death. On May 7, 2005, the suspect committed suicide in his cell at the Mansfield Correctional Institution.
Patrolman Hartzell had served with the Youngstown Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-050B8177- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hartzell gave the Youngstown Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Youngstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hartzell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael Thomas Hartzell is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Youngstown Police Department, 8 of 12 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. Michael Thomas Hartzell's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Thomas Hartzell Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Thomas Hartzell is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Thomas Hartzell was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Youngstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
