[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH CHIEF OF POLICE HARRY 
                               S. HARTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD SMUCKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service 
of Former Chief of Police Harry S. Hartman of the Columbia Borough 
Police Department.
  Chief Hartman's end of watch was April 4, 1923. Chief Hartman was 
killed while serving in the line of duty, as the Chief was attempting 
to serve a mental health commitment paper to an individual living on 
Union Street in Columbia.
  Chief Hartman was joined by the individual's father and upon 
approaching the home, the individual opened fire with a .25 caliber 
revolver on his father striking him, and later shooting Chief Hartman 
twice in the abdomen.
  Chief Hartman would pass away later that day, after being transported 
to Columbia Hospital.
  At the time of his passing at age 59, Chief Hartman had served with 
the Columbia Borough Police Department for three years. He entered law 
enforcement first as constable of Columbia's first ward. Chief Hartman 
was survived by his six children and had lived his entire life in 
Columbia, Pennsylvania.
  The Lancaster Intelligencer reported that he was ``affectionately 
known as Chiefty'' by the residents of Columbia and that he ``was in 
many aspects an exceptional law officer.''
  The Intelligencer continued ``Like a good doctor, Chief Hartman 
believed in preventative measures. It will never be known how many 
crimes were averted and how many possible criminals were saved through 
the timely and kindly interference of `Chiefty.' It is known that on 
many occasions where incipient trouble was brought to his attention, he 
nipped it in the bud through kindly council and advice.''
  Mr. Speaker, this year marked 100 years since the end of Chief 
Hartman's watch. May we give thanks for his service to our community 
and give thanks to all those individuals who put themselves in harm's 
way serving as law enforcement officers in our community and across the 
Nation.

                          ____________________