PINELLAS COUNTY - Hearts are heavy in Pinellas County after a fatal hit-and-run crash claimed the life of one of their deputies. 

A memorial continues to grow for Deputy Michael Hartwick as flowers, American flags and notes now surround his cruiser at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. 

"Its crushing, its devastating," said Chuck Cavanitas, a school resource officer who took some time to pay his respects. 

"It's all one big family and you're at a loss for words," he added. 

Deputy Hartwick, who served for 19 years, was killed when he was struck by a front-end loader during a construction security assignment. Deputies say the construction worker allegedly responsible for the accident ran off. 

"Normally I'm getting ready for my day," said Cavanitas. "I'm always excited about going into work and then you hear about this and it tears you to pieces." 

Cavanitas says this community is struggling to come to terms with 51-year-old Hartwick's life being cut short, "I'll be 47 in May, you know. We're kids."

He says after the senseless deaths of two Pinellas County deputies within 19 months — the law enforcement community is in need of greater support from those they protect and serve. 

"A simple 'Thank You', pat on the back or hand shake. It goes a long way," said Cavanitas. 

Unfortunately, this kind of grief is not new to this community who mourned the loss of another deputy, 30-year-old Michael Magli last February. 

Magli was killed by a drunk driver.

Magli and Hartwick's deaths are the only line of duty deaths reported within the 110-year history of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.