Officer Charles Hartman drowned while attempting to rescue a man.

Officer Charles Hartman was trying to rescue a man trapped in a tree after a canoeing accident on the Blue River in high water. Officer Hartman, who had donned scuba gear, had ventured out into the water and was attached to a rope tied between the river bank and the tree holding the marooned canoeist. Officer Hartman was overcome by the current and the water force ripped the breathing apparatus from his mouth. Other members of the rescue team immediately attempted to rescue him in the strong current. Officer Hartman remained submerged for more than 8 minutes. After riding the strong current downstream, Divers were eventually able to pull him from the river but efforts to revive him on shore were unsuccessful.

Officer Hartman was a member of the Jackson County Underwater Rescue Team, which was composed of officers from several different agencies. He had just been named Missouri Peace Officers Association Officer of the Year for rescuing a youth from a vehicle stranded in high water.

Officer Hartman had served with the agency for 7 years was survived by his wife and daughter.