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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

[OH] Lancaster Police Officer Randy Bartow and Stephanie Jean Seifert murdered by her ex-husband

...[Lancaster Police] Officer Randy Bartow, 56, of Logan, a 19-year member of the police department, was killed, as well as Stephanie J. Adams [Stephanie Jean Seifert], 38, and Kevin J. Adams... Court records showed that Stephanie Adams filed for dissolution in March, and it was granted in May... 

Stephanie Jean Seifert
On Facebook:

Lancaster Police Officer Randy Bartow
On Facebook:

POLICE WORK TO PIECE TOGETHER LANCASTER DOUBLE MURDER, SUICIDE
10TV
Wednesday October 24, 2012
[Excerpts] LANCASTER, Ohio - While police try to determine why three people died in a double murder/suicide on Tuesday, friends and family members remembered the way the victims lived. Police said that 40-year-old Kevin Adams arrived at the home of his ex-wife, Stephanie Adams, and shot and killed her and then her boyfriend, Lancaster Police Officer Randy Bartow, before shooting and killing himself... Brian Darfus said that there was a big void around his office when he arrived at Century 21 Darfus Realty on Tuesday. Stephanie Adams worked there as a realtor for the past eight years. “She’d always stop by my office door and ask me how I was doing, and that’s just the kind of person she was,” Darfus said. “Even when things weren’t good in her life, she always came in and made everybody else smile and always acted crazy.” Those in town also remembered Bartow, who was a decorated and respected Lancaster police officer who had been on the force since 1993. 10TV News looked at Bartow’s personnel records and found them full of compliments from supervisors and citizens. Bartow had been named Officer of the Year twice... [Full article here]


LANCASTER POLICE OFFICER AMONG 3 DEAD IN SHOOTING
Chillicothe Gazette
2:08 PM, Oct 23, 2012
[Excerpts] A decorated Lancaster police officer who was off duty has been identified as the third person killed in a double murder-suicide ... Officer Randy Bartow, 56, of Logan, a 19-year member of the police department, was killed, as well as Stephanie J. Adams, 38, and Kevin J. Adams, 40, both of Lancaster. All three were shot and killed at 196 Cleveland Ave... Neighbors heard yelling, a scream and then a series of “pops,” Bosch said... Stephanie Adams was one of the people who called 911. According to the log, there were screams and she kept yelling at “Kevin” to stop pointing a gun... Court records showed that Stephanie Adams filed for dissolution in March, and it was granted in May... Bartow joined the Lancaster Police Department in 1993 after working with the Logan Police Department since 1978. He initially served as a detective, and transferred to the patrol division in 1999. He was named officer of the year by his fellow officers in 1999 and 2002 and won the Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce’s Markwood Award in 2003. Stephanie Adams worked at Darfus Realty and at Rooster’s in Lancaster.... [Full article here]

COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FRIENDS REMEMBER SLAIN OFFICER
By: NBC4 - NBC4
October 24, 2012
[Excerpts] Members of the Lancaster Police Department remember fellow officer, Randy Bartow, 56, who was killed in an apparent murder-suicide, early Tuesday morning.... Friends and neighbors from his hometown of Logan, Ohio, in Hocking County say they were shocked to learn of his death. “It just about made me sick. Such a terrible thing; such a terrible tragedy,” said Sharon Stimmel, a friend of Bartow and his family... "He was a true professional and a valued member of our agency. His passing is a great loss to the Lancaster community and to Ohio law enforcement. He will be sadly missed, we ask that you keep Officer Bartow’s family and the Lancaster community in your prayers," said Chief Aaron Miller... [Full article here]


"We are extremely saddened by the tragic death of our brother, uncle and friend, Officer Randy Bartow. His kindness and generosity towards others was evident in all that he did. Randy was a proud police officer his entire adult life, and served with pride in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and Ohio Army National Guard. He will be greatly missed by his family, co-workers, friends, and the many residents he touched with his compassion. We are thankful for the outpouring of support during this incredibly difficult time.
Thank you very much,
Lindsay Bartow"


UPDATE:



FRIENDS, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH LANCASTER DEATHS
CentralOhio.com
Michelle George and Francesca Sacco
Oct 25, 2012
[Excerpts] LANCASTER — When Ohio University Lancaster student Cheryse Hubbard participates in a two-mile walk today to raise awareness of domestic violence, she will be thinking of a dear friend and co-worker whose life came to an end too soon... “Stephanie was one of those people who, if you needed anything, no matter what, she would do everything in her power to do it for you. She would give you the shirt off her back, anything... She had the hugest heart... Everybody at work loved Stephanie; she’s going to be missed dearly... She was always there to listen and to try and give the best advice. She was never really one to complain about her life and what happened to her.” Across town, [Randy] Bartow’s co-workers at the Lancaster Police Department also were grieving the loss of a friend. Bartow was a decorated police officer who worked in the patrol bureau and was well-known within the community. He was off-duty Tuesday morning when he was killed. “It is very solemn here,” Lancaster Police Chief David Bailey said Wednesday... In his personnel file, there are all kinds of small notes, cards and letters on official stationary, but they all say the same thing — how he went out of his way to help somebody,” Bailey said. “For someone to write a note and mail it down here tells a lot about the impact he had because it takes time to do something like that and people are busy”... [Kevin and Stephanie's niece Amber] Singer said that while funeral arrangements for her aunt and uncle are pending, she hopes that they could possibly be buried together. “They loved each other, “ said Singer. “Our family is very distraught by this. We don’t understand. We have a lot of unanswered questions. But he was an amazing and loving person and nobody is seeing that”... [Full article here]

OFFICER RANDY BARTOW REMEMBERED AS MAN OF HUMOR, COMPASSION
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Blake Williams
Oct 28, 2012
[Excerpts] LOGAN — From a 9 a.m. briefing in Lancaster to an 11 a.m. service at the Logan Church of the Nazarene to the burial at Greenlawn Cemetery in Nelsonville, the friends and family of deceased Lancaster Police Officer Randy Bartow dedicated miles and hours to honoring his memory Saturday. Many used the drive to reflect on their lost friend. “I kind of chuckled when we were driving up here,” Bartow’s former partner, Kevin Everhart, said. “Leave it to Randy to find a cemetery back in this location. That’s just the way Randy was, he was a prankster. (During the drive) I was just kind of reminiscing on some of the good times that we had”... Everhart was glad people in mourning were able to find humor during the service, he said, and thought his friend would have appreciated it. “He was laughing at us, trust me,” he said. “That’s the way Randy was. He tried to find humor in everything”... Lancaster was not the only law enforcement agency represented at the funeral. Officers from Lithopolis, Baltimore, Columbus, Logan, Pickerington and Hocking County, among others, attended... Most of those officers stood at attention in spitting rain as Bartow’s casket was transported to the hearse and again at the grave site while the remaining members of the force served as pallbearers. The police officers stood six rows deep at Greenlawn Cemetery below an American flag lowered to half staff with a black bow affixed to its corner... “Randy was unlike most people,” [Lancaster Police Officer John] Hill said. “He was very sincere; he would do anything for anybody regardless of what it would cost him. You can say this about a lot of people and it’s not always meant, that he would give you the shirt of his back, but with Randy, he most definitely would do that.” Bartow also was known for giving people the shirt out of his pocket. In his time as a police officer, he developed a habit of folding dollar bills into origami shirts and giving them to people he encountered whose day needed a lift... [Full article here]


UPDATE:

WALKERS REMEMBER LANCASTER MURDER VICTIMS
myfox28columbus.com
Thursday, October 25 2012
...Several people took part in the two-mile walk, which raised money for the Lighthouse domestic violence shelter. Also on the minds of the participants were Stephanie Seifert and Lancaster Police Officer Randy Bartow, who were killed Tuesday, allegedly by Siefert's ex-husband. Seifert's friend, Cheryse Hubbard, took part in the walk, and says Stephanie "would've wanted something good to come out of [the murders]." Hubbard said a golf outing is being planned to raise money for Seifert's family... LINK

OU-LANCASTER STUDENTS TO WALK IN HONOR OF VICTIM
WOUB
Published Thu, Oct 25, 2012 
Ohio University Lancaster students will honor a domestic violence victim in the "Walk in Their Shoes" event Thursday afternoon. After Stephanie Adams was shot and killed in an incident related to domestic violence early Tuesday morning, several of her friends decided to participate in the walk... Stephanie Adams' friends plan to carry pictures of her during the walk. Adams' friend Cheryse Hubbard said she thinks Adams would be happy to see people participating. "From the situation, most can see that it was domestic violence and I think Stephanie would be proud of everybody who comes out and if something good from this situation can come out of it by somebody getting out of a domestic violence situation because of the walk today, I think Stephanie would be very proud and very happy," said Hubbard... LINK

LANCASTER MURDER VICTIM REMEMBERED ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS WALK
October 25, 2012
Friends of Adams walked with heavy hearts at a bike path behind the Lancaster branch of Ohio University. "If anything was wrong she would tell you it was going to be ok, no matter what was going on in her life," said Jackie Taylor. The two mile trek was called "Walk In Their Shoes." The dozens who showed up talked about the shock of the tragedy and the need for domestic violence to end. "Nobody should  ever touch somebody else with anger love that if you love someone like that and it's just horrifying to think what she went through," said Taylor Adams’ co-workers from Rooster’s said that they can’t believe she is gone. They hope her death will make more people realize that they don’t have to stay in a violent relationship. "Don't be afraid to speak up, don't stay no matter how much you  love, sometimes people don't change"... There were 45 shoes placed along the path which represented a person who is touched by domestic violence every 15 minutes in this country... LINK

OUL WALK REMEMBERS ADAMS AND ALL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Ohio.edu / Slideshow
2012-10-25 
About 40 people took part in a walk on the Ohio University Lancaster Campus Thursday afternoon to honor domestic violence victims.  The walk had been planned for several weeks but happened to take place two days after three people in Lancaster were killed in what police are calling a domestic violence incident. Several Ohio University Lancaster students walked in honor of one of the victims, Stephanie Adams. They carried pictures of her with them when walking the Lancaster bike trail near campus... An off-duty Lancaster Police Officer [Randy Bartow] was killed in the incident as well.  Two Lancaster Police Officers took part in the walk in his honor... LINK
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder suicide victim ohio state politics cop as victim good cop visitation viewing]

15 comments:

  1. Randy was an absolute true blue friend who cared about not just his law-enforcement brothers and sisters, but everyone. I'll miss you buddy. I carry the black with thin blue line wrist band you gave me with honor. In your honor that is. Curt

    ReplyDelete
  2. RANDY LEE BARTOW OBITUARY
    Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
    October 26, 2012
    [Excerpts] LOGAN: Randy Lee Bartow, age 56 of Logan, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, October 23, 2012 in Lancaster, Ohio. Born March 20, 1956 in Columbus, Ohio, he was the son of the late John Leffler and Rachel Kathryn (Hitchings) Bartow. Randy was a veteran officer of the Lancaster Police Department, and had worked at both the Nelsonville Police Department and Logan Police Department prior to joining the Lancaster force. He had been an adjunct faculty member at Hocking College teaching Law Science. Randy had formerly worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Recourses in the Oil and Reclamation Department. A member of Fraternal Order of Police. He was honored as Officer of the Year in both 1999 and 2002. In 2002, he also received the Ohio House of Representatives Brett Markwood Award. Randy had served in the United States Marine Reserves and the Ohio National Guard. He is survived by one daughter... and three brothers... A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 27, 2012 Logan Church Of The Nazarene, 650 Walhonding Avenue, Logan, Ohio with Lancaster Police Chaplin Tony Salvatori officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Nelsonville, Ohio where a graveside service will be conducted by the Lancaster Police Honor Guard. Friends may call today from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home, Logan. The family suggests contributions in Randy's memory be made to Special Friends of Hocking County, P.O. Box 1012 Logan, Ohio 43138. Letters of condolence may be left at www.robertsfuneralhomelogan.com [Full obituary here]

    ReplyDelete
  3. Funeral service for Randy Bartow changed
    Oct. 25, 2012, 7:28 p.m. EDT
    Logan Daily News

    LOGAN — The funeral service for Randy Lee Bartow, 56, of Logan, the man killed in Tuesday’s murder-suicide shooting in Lancaster, has been changed.

    The funeral service will now be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Logan Church of the Nazarene located at 650 Walhonding Ave., Logan, with Lancaster Police Chaplin Tony Salvatori officiating.

    Bartow graduated from Logan High School in 1974, and was a veteran law enforcement officer, serving with the Lancaster Police Department, Logan Police Department, and Nelsonville Police Department during this career. He also taught at Hocking College.

    Besides Bartow, others killed in the shooting included 40-year-old Kevin Adams and 38-year-old Stephanie Adams. Bartow and Adams had been dating for a short time, and officials say that Kevin Adams shot the couple before turning the gun on himself.

    “He had a great outlook on life and personality, and was willing to help you out and was an all around good person,” Hocking County Lanny North said of Bartow earlier this week. “He’ll be greatly missed.”

    http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/funeral-service-for-randy-bartow-changed/1640615fa9804d1b93b53c954cf8dd64

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been looking for information on Stephanie and the news seems only focused on Randy. If you want to share something about Stephanie it would be very welcomed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stephanie was a close dear friend of mine. Her ex wasalso a family friend and boss of my husband. This week has been a nightmare that is never ending. Stephanie had a heart of gold and a smile the could light the way. She will always and forever be in my heart. It is so hard to knowing I will never be able to talk to her again. I didnt know Officer Bartow but I hear he was a good man. May the three of them find comfort and peace in this tragic incident.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stephanie Jean Seifert (1972 - 2012)
    Obituary
    Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
    October 28, 2012
    [Excerpts] LANCASTER: Stephanie Jean Seifert, 39, of Lancaster went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. She was born in Lancaster on December 29, 1972 the only child of Brandt and Judy (Cordle) Seifert. She was a 1991 graduate of Lancaster High School. Stephanie was employed by Century 21 Darfus Reality where she had won numerous awards. She was also employed by Roosters. Prior to working for Century 21 she was the Assistant Manager of the main branch of Community Bank. She is survived by her parents... a son... and a daughter... a granddaughter... her maternal grandparents... and many close and special friends... Funeral Services were held Saturday at 9 am at the Victory Hill Church and were officiated by Pastor Dwain Pyeatt. Burial followed in Floral Hills Memory Gardens...
    http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lancastereaglegazette/obituary.aspx?pid=160690007#fbLoggedOut

    ReplyDelete
  7. Walkers Remember Lancaster Murder Victims
    myfox28columbus.com
    Thursday, October 25 2012

    LANCASTER -- Walkers took to the streets Thursday to raise domestic violence awareness, and to honor the memories of two people recently murdered in Lancaster.

    Several people took part in the two-mile walk, which raised money for the Lighthouse domestic violence shelter. Also on the minds of the participants were Stephanie Seifert and Lancaster Police Officer Randy Bartow, who were killed Tuesday, allegedly by Siefert's ex-husband.

    Seifert's friend, Cheryse Hubbard, took part in the walk, and says Stephanie "would've wanted something good to come out of [the murders]."

    Hubbard said a golf outing is being planned to raise money for Seifert's family.

    Reporter: Terri Sullivan
    Web Producer: Ken Hines

    http://www.myfox28columbus.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wtte_walkers-remember-lancaster-murder-victims-20299.shtml

    ReplyDelete
  8. Today's the last day:

    Salon to conduct fundraiser for victims of domestic violence
    3:01 AM, Nov 7, 2012

    LANCASTER — Envision Salon and Massage, 1812 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, is doing a fundraiser in November for the Stephanie Siefert (Adams) Benefit Fund for Victims of Domestic Violence.

    Throughout the month of November, residents can get a purple hair extension or tips for $10 per strand or a purple gel manicure for $15. All proceeds will go to the fund, which was created in Siefert’s memory. Donations to the fund also can be made at any Fairfield National Bank location.

    To schedule an appointment, call 740-681-1101.

    http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20121107/NEWS01/311070014/Salon-conduct-fundraiser-victims-domestic-violence

    ReplyDelete
  9. gasstationshellDecember 02, 2012

    Thank you :0)

    ReplyDelete
  10. From Stephanie's son:

    "I am Stephanie's son. My Mom was the greatest person who walked on this Earth. She cared about everyone, and never put herself first. She was so excited to turn 40 this December. My birthday was on Thanksgiving and it was so hard to walk that day. I miss her so badly. I have never met Randy, only talked to him on the phone. They were "talking" about dating. He seemed to be a good guy and we were going to have a grill-off one night to “officially” meet. My Mom was hurting mostly due to my Dad and my Sister. It was so sad to see her hurting, but she always kept her head up. She was truly a beautiful person."

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stephy’s Story is referred to as domestic violence because they had previously been married. She divorced him through dissolution in May 2012. He was never physically violent with her. His violence was always against other men; until this terrible day…
    Stephanie was a freshman in high school when she met her husband to be. They had a baby together while still in high school, and didn’t get married until they were 19 years old; after graduation, and old enough to begin life on their own.
    I talked to Stephy on Thursday, 10/19/12. She told me that Kevin had come to her house on 10/15/12 to tell her good-bye. That he had nothing to live for and he was going to commit suicide. (I was told by the Lancaster Chief of Police that this was only an attempt on his part to regain control of her after the divorce-He said he would've never committed suicide except for the fact he would've lost control if the police would've arrested him, he would have been brought to justice or he would've been killed by a law enforcement officer) She said she talked him out of it and told him he had much to live for. She said it took 2 days of intense encouragement. She offered to let him sleep on the couch for 2 nights and then, when she thought he was okay, she said maybe you should stay 2 more nights on the couch to make sure you’re going to be okay. She found a loaded pistol in his truck. She hid it in her house so he couldn’t have access to it. (He was probably going to kill her then, but, because of her kindness to him he thought perhaps he could regain control over her again.) Unknown to her, they believe he had a key made while staying at Steph’s. (Her kindness was used against her). She said, we talked and agreed that there was nothing between us anymore. She said, Mom, I am not physically attracted to him, I am not mentally attracted to him and I am not emotionally attracted to him. She said it has been over for me for years, and since last December she was waiting until she could get out. She said all he did was call her filthy names and scream and yell at her and the family. She said, “Because of the kids and our grandchild I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.” She was so proud of what she had done to help him and beamed as she shared with me. I marveled at her kindness and admired her as she shared. That’s the kind of person Stephanie was, always thinking of others before herself.
    Stephanie went to breakfast with him on his birthday, on 10/21. She had even agreed to do some outings with her daughter and grandchild. She was trying to keep him encouraged about life and attempting to keep him calm. (Again, her kindness was used against her). Once you leave an abusive ex-spouse/spouse whether it is verbal or physical-YOU MUST NEVER HAVE ANY KIND OF CONTACT WITH THEM AGAIN; EVER! Your life depends upon it.
    BCI said (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) it’s all about control with narcissistic sociopathswhich is what Kevin’s profile proves him to be. They are non-violent until the moment they choose to kill. Once he made that choice to kill, he then became a full blown psychopath and there was no turning back, ever. He said he would have killed anyone who got in his way and if he could have gotten away more people would have died; most likely more family members too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am Stephanie's Mom. She was the best daughter any parent could ever ask for. The investigating coroner told us, it was her continued kindness to her ex-husband that cost her her life. He said the message we have to get out there is: "Once you leave an abusive relationship, whether it is verbal (As was Stephanie's) or physical, you can never have contact with the abuser again. Your very life depends upon it..." The minister officiating Stephanie’s funeral told us to go out and give purpose to this senseless tragedy.
    So, far:
    • A Bible has been placed through the Gideon’s in Stephanie’s name
    • 100 Bibles have been sent to China by her Aunt
    • Many people-friends, family, and those who’ve heard her story have returned to church
    • A billboard to promote Domestic Violence Awareness and honor Stephanie: was put up on Memorial Drive-the main road in Lancaster
    • The Columbus Dispatch did an article on Stephanie
    • Donations to the Humane Society in her name-She was a great lover of animals
    • Candle lighting was held in honor of Stephanie at Roosters in October 2012
    • Domestic Violence March was held in Stephanie’s honor at the Lancaster, Ohio branch of the Ohio University on 10/25. Lancaster Police officers joined us and walked in her honor.
    • Purple hair extension, nails painted all purple, purple ribbon painted on at Envision Salons in Lancaster. All proceeds were given to: The Fairfield County Domestic Violence Awareness Group in Stephanie's memory & Purple hair extension; in Stephanie Seifert's memory @Julie’s Salon & Spa. All profits went towards the fight against domestic violence. Stephy’s cousin sponsored the event
    • Golf benefit for Stephanie was held on 11/11/12. (Roosters said this is the largest response they have ever had -Memorial Bench & plaque in Stephanie’s honor to be added to the patio of Roosters-Two College funds to be opened for Stephanie’s 1st grandchild from her son & 1st grandchild from her daughter
    • We joined Parent’s of Murdered Children-a support group for Central Ohio families-we will attend their annual candle lighting service each December-to light a candle in her honor and speak her name and our relationship to her
    • We are checking into starting a foundation to honor Stephanie, it will be called ‘Stephy’s Story’
    • 1st Annual Stephy’s 5K Run/Walk is being arranged for October 13, 2013 (which is domestic violence awareness month) all proceeds will go to the ‘Lighthouse’ (A safe-house for women & children trying to escape domestic violence)
    • Facebook Page: ‘Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Silence Kills’ - Stephy’s Story (https://www.facebook.com/SpeakOutAgainstDomesticViolenceSilenceKills?ref=hl) The hopes of this page, is to encourage women and young girls to share the truth of their relationships with the ones who love them most, their parents. We have learned that victims of domestic violence live in silenced fear; for their lives, their parent’s lives, their children’s lives, and so on. Their silence is their way of thinking they are protecting their loved ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is so sad and tragic . I am just realizing myfiancee fits the profile for narcissistic personality disorder .

      Delete

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