U.S. Navy · United States 
Michael Robert Hartwick
2022
Michael Hartwick served the U.S. Navy for 4 years. Michael served in the Cold War and Gulf War.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Blunt force trauma
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
Vehicular assault
What Happened
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick succumbed to injuries received when he was struck by a front-end loader truck at I-275 and Ulmerton Road, near the Howard Frankland Bridge at 10:30 pm.
Deputy Hartwick was working an overnight assignment directing traffic for construction work on the I-275. He was outside his cruiser when the front-end loader carrying concrete barriers hit him.
The construction worker fled the scene but was apprehended 10 hours later. Another construction worker who helped the subject hide his work vest and flee was charged with accessory after the fact. In 2025, the suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years. He was sentenced to an additional two years for aggravated identity theft, false representation of a Social Security number, and making a false claim of United States citizenship for employment purposes.
Deputy Hartwick had served with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for 19 years.
Deputy Hartwick was working an overnight assignment directing traffic for construction work on the I-275. He was outside his cruiser when the front-end loader carrying concrete barriers hit him.
The construction worker fled the scene but was apprehended 10 hours later. Another construction worker who helped the subject hide his work vest and flee was charged with accessory after the fact. In 2025, the suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years. He was sentenced to an additional two years for aggravated identity theft, false representation of a Social Security number, and making a false claim of United States citizenship for employment purposes.
Deputy Hartwick had served with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two sons and mother.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
1989 – 1993
Conflicts
Cold War
Gulf War
Also Served
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Sheriff
Burial Information
Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Section
S49
Columbarium
S49
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmmv7rgw62f0an6r54nj
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 29, 2026
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