A new memorial at Freedom Park in York County, Pennsylvania, now honors West York Officer Andrew Duarte, who died in the line of duty. Officer Duarte was fatally shot while responding to an active shooter situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital in February. The memorial space, unveiled yesterday, features signs and a statue commemorating his life and service. West York Mayor Bruce Vick praised Duarte as a man with "an enormous heart and an unshakable determination to be his best."
The tragic incident occurred on February 22, when Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, the shooter, entered the hospital's intensive care unit and took hostages. According to York County District Attorney Tim Barker, Archangel-Ortiz's weapon was empty when officers arrived, but they were unaware of this fact. During the confrontation, officers fired a total of 22 shots, hitting Archangel-Ortiz multiple times. Unfortunately, Officer Duarte was struck by a shotgun blast intended for the attacker, which also injured another officer.
Despite the tragic outcome, Barker emphasized that the officers' actions were "100% justified and legally appropriate." He commended them for their bravery, noting their willingness to risk their lives for the hostages. The community has shown an outpouring of support, with flowers and balloons placed at the West York Police Department in Duarte's memory, as reported by AP News.