Michael T. Hartzell
Died: April 29, 2003
On April 29, 2003 at approximately 12:39 AM a shooting took place at a bar on Mahoning Avenue in which one victim was wounded. The suspect in that shooting, Martin Koliser, fled in a silver Lincoln.
Officer Michael Hartzell was in the Downtown Area and spotted the Lincoln, getting behind the vehicle and running the license plate. At approximately 2:19 AM, witness statements say that Koliser exited his vehicle and ran to Officer Hartzell's cruiser, firing three rounds at Officer Hartzell. Koliser then fled the scene, abandoning his Lincoln several streets away and fleeing on foot. Officer Hartzell was rushed to St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where trauma teams did all they could to save Michael's life. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
Just one day later on April 30th, Martin Koliser was apprehended at a Knight's Inn in Pinellas County, FL. Agents from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Tampa F.B.I. Office apprehended Koliser without incident.
Officer Hartzell was 26 years young.
Millard Williams
Died: April 14, 1992
Detective/Sergeant Millard Williams was on routine patrol when he became involved in a traffic accident. His injuries were fatal.
Detective Sergeant Williams was 39 years young.
Paul Durkin
Died: September 22, 1987
Officer Durkin had stopped a suspicious person in a residential neighborhood when the suspect produced a handgun and shot him.
Officer Durkin was 34 years young.
Ralph DeSalle
Died: June 13, 1984
Officer DeSalle was assisting at the scene of a traffic crash when he was struck and killed by a semi truck.
Officer DeSalle was 40 years young.
Frank Cichon
Died: December 21, 1963
Officer Frank Cichon was a resident of 243 E. Florida at the time of his death and the father of three children.
At approximately 1:30 AM, Officers Cichon and Edward Mika were checking on a vehicle at Glenwood and Cleveland that was the victim of a hit-skip accident. Two other citizens were also with the officers, accounting the events of the accident. Mika then stated “I heard someone yell something…the next thing I knew I was flying through the air.” Cichon, Mika, and the civilians were struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on Glenwood. Cichon was thrown 115 feet from the auto he was investigating. The driver, Mr. Berick, admitted to having several beers at a tavern on the corner of Falls/Glenwood. A “drunkometer” test was administered, showing Mr. Berick’s BAC at .135.
Officer Cichon was 41 years young.
Henry Clemens
Died: December 4, 1927
Officer Clemens was shot to death after walking in on a burglary in progress at a gas station.
Officer Clemens was 49 years young.
Benjamin Yeadon
Died: February 7, 1925
Detective Ben Yeadon was a resident of 59 East Madison. He had been in plain clothes for two years and was considered the best and most efficient police officer on the department.
On September 3, 1924 Det. Yeadon was in foot pursuit with Det. Steve Stanko of a male suspect from a cutting. Det. Yeadon scaled a fence in the rear of 343 East Boardman Street when his service revolver fell out of its holster, struck a rock, and discharged. The bullet went into his lower abdominal area.
Detective Yeadon was hospitalized for several weeks before being released from St. Elizabeth's hospital. In February of 1925 he returned to the hospital for emergency surgery due to severe abdominal pains.
Detective Yeadon ended his tour of duty on February 7, 1925.
George Leonard
Died: March 23, 1924
Officer Leonard was shot attempting to arrest a suspect who had been threatening people in a downtown store with a gun.
Officer Leonard was 32 years young.
Alexander Warren
Died: May 3, 1921
Officer Warren was approaching a suspicious person when the suspect produced a handgun and fired.
Officer Warren was 27 years young.
Samuel Banks
Died: October 6, 1919
Officer Banks was assisting a motorist in traffic when he was struck and killed by another vehicle.
Officer Banks was 40 years young.
Alfred Evans
Died: November 5, 1911
Officer Evans was questioning a suspicious man on the street when the subject produced a revolver and fired.
Officer Evans was 35 years young.
William Freed
Died: May 18, 1891
Officer Freed was shot while pursuing a burglary suspect.
Officer Freed was 27 years young.
