Cleveland officer killed during carjacking memorialized

CLEVELAND (AP) — The dual sister of slain Cleveland police officer Shane Bartek stated at his funeral Tuesday she knew as youngsters her brother wished to be a cop as they performed with their first set of walkie talkies utilizing name indicators “Peanut Butter” and “Jelly.”

Summer time Bartek in the course of the service at Grace Church within the Cleveland suburb of Middleburg Heights stated Shane, 25, born 13 minutes after her, all the time handled her like a bit sister.

“Shane will without end be my idol,” she stated.

Shane wished to be remembered as somebody who cared, Summer time Bartek stated.

“In his 25 years, he reached that objective instances a thousand,” Summer time Bartek stated.

Bartek was off responsibility when he was shot and killed throughout a carjacking Dec. 31 within the parking zone of an condominium constructing on Cleveland’s west facet. Tamara McLoyd, 18, was indicted final week on aggravated homicide and different costs in Bartek’s slaying. A prosecutor stated in court docket final week that McLoyd admitted capturing Bartek to investigators.

A montage of pictures and video clips performed throughout Tuesday’s service confirmed a sometimes goofy and playful boy and a tall, athletic teen and younger grownup with a straightforward, usually wry smile.

“He may make mates with anybody and was clever past his years,” Summer time Bartek stated.

Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond stated he didn't know Bartek personally however realized different officers thought extremely of him. Bartek would learn to youngsters at a toddler care heart within the east facet police district the place he was assigned, Drummond stated.

Bartek grew to become a Cleveland police officer in August 2019.

“This man was a real public servant,” Drummond stated. “If I may create a template of what this metropolis wants as a police officer, it could be patrol officer Shane Bartek.”

Along with his sister, Bartek is survived by his mom, Debra; brother Eric; and his grandmother Gloria Bartek. His father, Ronald Bartek, died in 2018.

Summer time Bartek recalled one in every of her final conversations she had along with her twin. She stated she requested him if he was scared about one thing taking place to him on the job.

“His reply was, ”Life’s too brief to care an excessive amount of and get upset about each little factor, It can play out high quality in the long run, or if not, I shall be as much as see dad and the remainder of the household. It’s a win-win.’ ”