LAS VEGAS, Nevada — A goodbye fitting for a hero.
On Friday, fellow police officers and the community came together to honor Officer Charleston Hartfield. He lost his life in a mass shooting outside Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on Oct. 1 that claimed 57 other lives.
Hartfield received a hero's salute with his motorcade passing down Las Vegas Boulevard from Palm Mortuary to Central Christian Church in Henderson. A life well lived was remembered by his brother who said, "I am proud of you, I love you, I looked up to you even though I'm older I looked up to you.He did so much more than I could ever do in a lifetime, that is why I looked up to him."
Many kids knew him as Coach Chuck and his wife called him Chuckieheart. Hartfield served 16 years in the Army and Nevada National Guard. He served the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for 11 years.
Words that Hartfield wrote himself over a year ago in a plan for his memorial service were read today. "I would like everyone to enjoy themselves, and remember me for who I was, the truth only and none of that stuff but how great I was," read by the church pastor.
Hartfield's cousin, a marine gave him a touching goodbye, "Just because Charleston I get the final word on this one, I leave you with the Marine Corps salute. Never above you, never below you always beside you Fair winds and following seas."
Charleston Hartfield was 34 years old. He leaves behind his wife Veronica and children Isaiah and Savannah. At his request, he was buried at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
