Charles David Hartman
Agency: Lee's Summit Police Department, MO
Officer Hartman was a member of the Jackson County Underwater Rescue Team, which was composed of officers from several different agencies.
Officer Charles Hartman drowned while attempting to rescue a man from the Little Blue River in Kansas City, Missouri. During the rescue attempt Officer Hartman, who was in scuba gear, entered the river to rescue the stranded citizens. As he was swimming out to the citizens Officer Hartman was struck by a log moving down the heavy river current at approximately 30 mph. Officer Hartman lost consciousness and went under water. Other rescue divers pulled Officer Hartman from the river and transported him to the hospital. Unfortunately Officer Hartman did not survive the incident.
The Lee’s Summit Police Department honored Officer Hartman by dedicating and naming a park in his memory. Officer Hartman had served with the agency for 7 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.
Reflections:
We miss you and love you, but we also thank you for being the kind of person who loved life so much, you gave your own in order for someone else to keep theirs. We could not be more proud. It was the right thing to do. The little girl we were expecting turned twenty today! As you know, she is beautiful and is so much like you. Thank you for looking out for us while you were here--and even now. She is the best gift you could have ever given me. Through the eyes of my heart, I see you beside me. Be happy.
Marcia Hartman-Coleman
Officer's widow
To my best friend. I miss you every day. My daughter Amy was forever touched by your passing. She loved you so much. Doing your death investigation was one of the worst days of my life, I so miss our time together. Wish I had been there, the way you were so many times for me. Forever brothers.
Gordon Cockrell
Detective, Lee’s Summit Police
To my "Brother" David -- for you were a big brother to me, and dear to my folks too. You rescued me so many times from my own mistakes ... and when I'm in duress, and in need of rescue, you visit me in my dreams. Still making me laugh. Still showing me the way. And always I say in my dream, "But David, you're dead. How can you be here?" and he replies, "Lori, I'm not dead. I'm right here." Thank you for being here, then and now. I, and my folks, love you dearly and cherish your memory. Family dinners, holidays, birthdays, fun days, drinking lemonade and laughing until you made that loud honking sound. I love you, forever and always, my big brother.
Laura Crowley Lynch
Family friend "little sister"
You will never know how much you really made an impact in my life a younger girl and what you meant to me you was like a big brother to me and I know this doesn’t make a lot of sense because even after all these years I’m crying trying to write this. I still miss you and I hope you and momma are fishing together in heaven much love Big Brother. Love, Patty. the little sister who always looked up to you.
Patty Pettit- Like a Big Brother to me
I watched you drown, and I don’t quite remember the event quite the way it is written up here. What matters is that someone, very selfishly, decided to go canoeing in very high, very dangerous, flood-stage water of the Little Blue. You and many others answered that call to help him, and you died needlessly because of it. I will never lose the images of your tragic death from my mind. It was an honour and privilege to know you, Dave. Walk well, my Brother.
Donnie Bowerman Retired LEO CMSUPD, IPD, KCPD, JCSD, DEA
Dave, Your were one hell of a traffic cop. I think about you every time I pass by the Blue River while on calls. Thanks for everything!!! Guard over us and I'll see you soon.
Officer Randy Ellis
Grandview Missouri Police
References: