- West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte was killed in the line of duty during an active shooter incident at UPMC Memorial Hospital on February 22, 2025.
- Duarte had served with the West York Borough Police Department since June 2022, after previously serving with the Denver Police Department for five years.
- Condolences and tributes have poured in from law enforcement agencies and officials across the state.
The West York borough police department confirmed that Officer Andrew Duarte was killed in the line of duty during an active shooter incident that included a hostage situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital Feb. 22, 2025.
Duarte had been a police officer for more than six years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Duarte spent five years with the Denver Police Department in Denver, Colorado before becoming an officer in West York, his profile states. He began working at West York in June of 2022.
West York police:Officer killed in the line of duty at UPMC Memorial Hospital shooting
He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/police science from PennWest California in western Pennsylvania.
While out West, Duarte worked as a patrol and a DUI/DRE enforcement officer. He highlighted a couple of awards he received: the Top Student Award for outstanding academic achievement when he completed Drug Recognition Expert school and a hero award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2021 for impaired driving enforcement.
“I am a driven person who likes a new challenge and to expand my horizons with new education and new opportunities. I am a self starter and operate with a significant amount of self management in my position. I have a type A personality and like to succeed in all that I do,” he wrote in his profile.
The Denver Police Department issued the following statement: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Denver Police Officer Andrew Duarte. Andrew valiantly served the Denver community as a police officer from 2017 to 2022. He served as a patrol officer and on the Denver Police DUI Enforcement Unit, was highly regarded for his work, and developed close friendships with teammates. Andrew received prominent recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts in keeping Denver’s roads safe from impaired drivers.”
The Officer Down Memorial Page has added Duarte to its list of fallen officers.
Remember the fallen:York FOP to erect memorial to 2 officers who died in the line of duty
Police departments express their condolences to Duarte’s colleages, family
Condolences are pouring in from around York County in the loss of Officer Duarte.
Pennsylvania Attorney General David W. Sunday, formerly the York County District Attorney, shared his condolences on Instagram.
“The loss of West York Borough PD Officer Andrew Duarte in today’s incident is truly heartbreaking. My thoughts are with his family, colleagues in the department and county, and all who knew and loved him,” he wrote.
Southern Regional Police extended its condolences to Duarte’s family, friends, and colleagues in a statement on Facebook.
“We stand in solidarity with the West York Borough Police Department during this incredibly difficult time and offer our full support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Duarte’s family as they navigate through this unimaginable loss.”
The Dover Township Fire Department posted on Facebook: “On behalf of DTFD, our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Duarte’s family, and everyone involved in today’s tragic event at UPMC Memorial Hospital.”
Mourners to place candles, flowers in honor of fallen West York officer
West York Council member Jennifer Chambers posted on Facebook that anyone who would like to show their support to the police department can go to the borough administrative office at 7 p.m. to light candles and place flowers.
The office is located at 1381 W. Poplar St. in West York.
She also suggested turning on a blue light on the porch if residents have one.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
