Portion Of I-275 Dedicated To Pinellas Deputy Michael Hartwick

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office unveiled a sign officially dedicating a portion of Interstate 275 in honor of Deputy Michael Hartwick.

Effective July 1, the Florida Legislature designated the portion of I-275 between mile markers 30 and 31 in Pinellas County as "Deputy Sheriff Michael Hartwick Memorial Highway."

Hartwick was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 23 near Exit 30 on southbound I-275. Hartwick was assigned to assist a construction crew and provide safety for them during their overnight roadwork on the interstate.

Related:

• Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Deputy On I-275N: Pinellas Sheriff
• Funeral Services Set For Fallen Deputy Monday Morning

He parked his cruiser in the southbound lanes of I-275, with his emergency equipment on. Moments later, Hartwick got out of hiscruiser, walked to the shoulder of the road and was struck by a large front loader driven by a construction worker. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The naming of the roads after our deputies who were killed in the line of duty is important because a hero never dies," said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.