MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — Mourners gathered to remember the life of Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek Monday evening for calling hours at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights.
The Bartek family greeted friends from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services for the fallen officer will then be held Tuesday morning at Grace Church. Following a funeral procession, Bartek will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park.
"It was incredible how much he was doing at the time, but he made time for everyone else as well," Bartek's friend Mikael Lucas, part of a steady stream of mourners, said. "He would want us to stand strong and be together in a time like this."
Officer Bartek was fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 4300 block of Rocky River Drive around 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Bartek was off-duty at the time. He was later pronounced dead at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Bartek's death was a homicide due to a gunshot wound of the chest with vascular, visceral, and skeletal injuries. Because the death of Bartek was ruled as happening in the line of duty, the city of Cleveland is obligated to pay for a full funeral with honors.
When Bartek is laid to rest, his body will sit next to that of his father, who died a few years ago. Brigid McKee says the two were extremely close.
"Even though it's not good at all, he is now able to be with his dad," McKee said. "I think that would make him really happy."
The alleged murder suspect in Bartek’s death – 18-year-old Tamara McLoyd – made her first court appearance last week as a Cleveland judge issued a $5-million bond on a charge of aggravated murder. On Friday, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced 10 additional charges against her, which include murder and aggravated murder.
Another suspect in the case – Anthony Butler Jr. – was arrested following a chase involving officer Bartek’s stolen vehicle. He’s charged with fleeing, receiving stolen property and other traffic-related allegations.
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