About 600 friends, family members, co-workers and other associates paid their final respects Friday to Albert Lea Police Lt. Phil Bartusek at St. Theodore Catholic Church.

Bartusek will be remembered as an easy-going, religious family man, who was a friend to all he encountered.

He died Monday, surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer.

At one point he seemed victorious in his fight against the disease, but it came back and struck other areas of his body.

Though he battled with lung cancer, he was not a smoker and was adamant about curbing tobacco use for both teenagers and adults.

Several dozen law enforcement officers from the Albert Lea Police Department, the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol and other area police departments came to the funeral service dressed in uniform. They entered the sanctuary two-by-two, followed next by Phil’s wife, Mary, their two daughters, Erin and Emily, and his mother, Jeanette Deutsch.

After everyone was seated, the American and state flags were placed in their appropriate stands at each side of the room.

His casket was guarded by two officers until the start of the service.

After the sharing of several scriptures and songs, Deacon Mike Ellis spoke of he and Phil’s relationship during the last 12 years.

Ellis said in March of 1996 when his family moved to Albert Lea, he met the Bartuseks during his first Mass.

In the years that followed, Phil would come into his office and sit in a rocking chair next to his desk. During those times, Ellis said, Phil taught him three main lessons: Life is an adventure, happiness is a priority, and faith is shared.

Ellis said Phil would often talk with him about his adventures during their frequent visits. Phil would always talk of his experiences with family, of his love for his wife and his daughters and the time they’ve had doing recreational activities. He would sit in the rocking chair and share his enthusiasm about activities such as scuba diving, vacationing in Cancun, Mexico, times at the family’s cabin up north, and the family traditions at Christmas.

Phil, who always had a smile on his face, would also share frequently of his love of his job, Ellis said.

“Phil believed with his whole heart of making Albert Lea a better community,” Ellis said.

He also taught others of the importance of being happy, Ellis said. At the center of all of Phil’s relationships was faith. Ellis recalled many times when Phil would come in and pray with him about what directions he should take in his life. He prayed with him about his decision to run for office of Freeborn County Sheriff in 2002 and more recently about the more difficult trial of cancer.

Despite dealing with a disease as tolling as cancer, Phil always faced it with determination, Ellis said. He encouraged those in attendance to remember these lessons and apply them in their own lives.

Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels, who spoke toward the end of the service, shared memories of Phil with the police department — of his competitive and intense nature and energy for what he did.

He shared jokes of some of the funnier things Phil did over the years, including “some famous fender benders” early-on in his career, when he totaled a few squad cars.

Phil worked diligently to curb tobacco and alcohol use in teenagers because they have been recognized as gateway drugs, Winkels said. He also was in charge of the city’s compliance checks and working to get increased penalties for selling to minors.

He received state and national recognition for his leadership on the Zero Adult Provider program in Albert Lea. And in 2007, he received the Commissioner’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Health Services by the Minnesota Department of Health.

He was also recently recognized by several different state agencies with a plaque for his efforts.

In 2006, he and his wife, Mary, were campaign chairpeople for the United Way of Freeborn County.

“Phil felt he owed it to the community to chair that United Way campaign,” Winkels said.

The police chief said the lieutenant never expressed any negative feelings toward others, even when it might have been appropriate. He was easy to forgive, and he always had intentions to do the right thing.

Winkels said Phil’s personality put people at ease, and when he took on a project, he would always put in 110 percent.

Over the years, he’s received dozens of letters of thanks and has spoken all over the state and the nation because of his success in Albert Lea.

He served in the Albert Lea Police Department for 26 years.

In addition to a strong involvement in the police department, Phil and his family have been involved in Albert Lea School District activities, Albert Lea Education Foundation, St. Theodore’s Catholic Church activities, Bayside Ski Club, Festival of Bands, House of Hope and the Albert Lea Family Y.

Following the Friday funeral service, Phil was laid to rest at St. Theodore Cemetery. A police processional led the way.