A Tribute to a Hero- Andrew Duarte

The outdoor memorial at freedom park within Democracy Plaza is designed to honor the life and work of Patrolman 1st class Andrew Duarte. Patrolman Andrew Duarte was shot and killed while responding to reports of an active shooter at the UPMC Memorial Hospital on Innovation Drive and Roosevelt Avenue in York at 10:43 a.m.

A subject entered the UPMC Memorial Hospital ICU on Saturday morning and, after learning the woman he lived with had died, he pulled out a gun and started firing, striking a doctor and another hospital worker. He continued to threaten hospital employees and took a few hostages. When officers arrived at the scene, the subject shot at officers and ordered them to retreat. Despite efforts to talk to the shooter, he refused to engage. When he emerged from the ICU, he was holding a female nurse hostage, whose hands were bound with zip ties, at gunpoint. Unknown to officers on the scene, the subject was out of ammunition, and his gun was empty. When the subject refused to release his hostage, officers fired. Two bullets struck Patrolman Duarte, mortally wounding him.

During the standoff, the subject called his brother and shared his situation, stating that he was ready to die.

Four hospital employees were injured; two were shot and two received other injuries. Two law enforcement officers were shot, and a third was wounded by shrapnel.

In 2021, Patrolman Duarte received a hero award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work in enforcing impaired driving in Colorado.

Patrolman Duarte had served with the West York Borough Police Department for over two years and previously served with the Denver Police Department for five years. He is survived by his mother and father.

We were moved by the immediate outpouring of support for the community and surrounding area which quickly expanded to outreach nationwide. We saw a moving candlelight vigil to Flowers and cards which lined the entire front of our Borough Administrative Building. Donations were funneled to support a vision of a Fallen Officers Memorial. The generosity of the public did not disappoint. In fact, donations for the memorial project quickly surpassed 80k.

The monument and memorial were designed by the borough’s manager who led the effort to raise funds for the memorial projects. The fundraising quickly spread from eateries to individuals donating what they could to help. We so much thank the people who really made this project happen. From the moment we broke ground and planted a swamp oak to mark the site, things rolled forward. over the next few weeks you will see the ellipse form and landscaping appear. The monument marker is being produced in Georgia and will be placed last. A community dedication will finish this memorial projects later this year.