Slain Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek

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By Kathy Wray Coleman, associate publisher, editor-in-chief

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - Funeral services were held on Tuesday at the Grace Church of Middelburg Heights for slain Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek, 25, who was shot and killed in connection with a New Year's Eve carjacking by 18-year-old Tamara McLoyd, who is Black and has been indicted in his murder on several charges, including aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, grand theft, and having weapons under disability.

Though Officer Bartek, 25, was off-duty when he was killed, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb deemed his killing that of an on-duty cop in order that the fallen officer's family could qualify for benefits, including funeral and burial monies. Cleveland Police Patrolmen's President Jeff Follmer had argued that since Bartek struggled with McLoyd before she allegedly gunned him down, that he was, in fact, acting as an on-duty police officer. How this questionable determination by the city that Bartek was on-duty when he was killed will impact the upcoming likely trial and McLoyd's constitutional right to a fair trial remains to be seen.

Hundreds of police officers from across the state, including as far away as Cincinnati, were in attendance to bid farewell to Bartek at funeral services in early January. Bartek's twin sister, Summer Bartek, was among the speakers, and she gave a touching tribute.

“I wish I could tell him one more time how much I admired him,” Summer Bartek said. “How he has always been my idol growing up and always will. I am 13 minutes older than Shane, but he always treated me like a little sister.”

Interim police chief Wayne Drummond, a 32-year law enforcement veteran who became interim chief last Monday when Mayor Bibb assumed office, has called the tragic shooting death of the police officer "senseless."

Drummond was also among the speakers at the funeral, and he described Bartek as an officer and a gentleman, and a role model for other patrolmen.

“While I did not have the privilege to know Shane personally, I have recently talked with many officers who spoke of him very highly,” Drummond said. “I’ve learned that courage came naturally to Shane. And I’ve heard stories that tell me Shane truly embodied the virtues needed to be an outstanding law enforcement officer.”

Prosecutors say McLoyd  was on probation and under the supervision of the Lorain County Juvenile Court for a robbery conviction when she allegedly shot and killed Bartek.  Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Mike O'Malley told reporters that at that time McLoyd had been convicted of robbery as a juvenile in Lorain County Juvenile Court and that she should not have been on the streets, though a judge who had released her from custody obviously disagreed with his stance.

Officer Bartek was shot twice in the back in his car, which was parked outside of his apartment complex. He was pronounced dead after being transported by EMS from the scene of the shooting to Fairview Hospital

Surveillance video purportedly reveals that McLoyd drove off in the officer's car after she allegedly shot him. She ultimately delivered the car to Anthony Butler Jr, 28 and of Bedford Heights, the other suspect in the case is charged with fleeing and receiving stolen property. Police recovered the stolen car following a high speed chase through the city and several other communities.. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com) the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.