A funeral service will be held this Friday for Officer Andrew Duarte, a Pennsylvania police officer who was shot and killed while responding to a violent incident at a hospital intensive care unit. The funeral will take place at a church in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. However, it will not be open to the general public.
According to the autopsy report, Officer Duarte, 30, died from a gunshot wound to the torso. The tragic incident happened on Saturday at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, where he was later taken for treatment but could not be saved. The funeral will be attended by his family, friends, law enforcement officers, and special guests. Before the service, there will be a police procession to honor his sacrifice.
The suspect, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, entered the hospital’s ICU armed with a gun and zip ties. He shot three hospital employees and took several people hostage. When police arrived, they engaged with Archangel-Ortiz, ultimately shooting and killing him. Five other people were injured, including officers from two different police departments, a doctor, a nurse, and a hospital worker.
Authorities said that Archangel-Ortiz lived just a few blocks from the West York Police Department where Duarte worked. His autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday. Investigators believe that he had recently visited the ICU due to a medical situation involving another person, but they have not released any details about his motive.
York County District Attorney Tim Barker stated that the officers were justified in using deadly force. He emphasized that their actions likely saved more lives, even though they tragically lost one of their own.
Officer Duarte had joined the West York Police Department in 2022 after serving for five years with the Denver Police Department. He had received a “Hero Award” in 2021 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in preventing impaired driving in Colorado. His family has requested that memorial donations be given to organizations that work to combat drunk driving.
Duarte’s obituary described him as a hero to both his family and community. Born in Oakland, California, he held a degree in criminal justice from California University of Pennsylvania. He loved photography, playing the guitar, hiking, and traveling. He is survived by his parents and his girlfriend.
The officers injured in the shooting have been released from the hospital and are expected to make full recoveries. This incident highlights the increasing violence in U.S. hospitals, making healthcare one of the most dangerous professions today.
