Latest news with #CaliforniaUniversityofPennsylvania
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
'I have to live the rest of my life without him': Mom mourns her son, Andrew Duarte
Nancy Duarte Matarese now wears a piece of jewelry that her son, West York Police Officer Andrew Duarte, wore every day during his career in law enforcement. It's a medallion of Saint Michael, the patron saint of police officers and other professionals who face danger. His aunt gave it to him upon graduation from the California University of Pennsylvania. It's no longer smooth on the back, which is inscribed with "May God Protect & Shield You Drew," but it survived. A deputy coroner handed the medallion to her at York Hospital after her son died on Saturday, Feb. 22 following an active shooting with healthcare workers held hostage at UPMC Memorial Hospital. Despite being mortally wounded, Duarte rescued another officer from danger during the attack. "A lot of times, I have it on the inside next to my skin," she said of the jewelry during an interview in Red Lion. It didn't surprise her that her mortally wounded son rescued another officer that day. Officers who worked with him have said, "You knew he had your back." Nancy Duarte Matarese believes every baby is a miracle, but her only child was one all the more. The doctors didn't believe he would survive to be born or live much past birth. He came into the world weighing 3.5 pounds, but what he lacked in size, he made up for in other ways, she said. He was incredibly intelligent. From a young age, he enjoyed studying and soaked up everything. He knew all of the pieces of construction equipment and how they worked, his mother recalled. He took an interest in reptiles and became a fan of Steve Irwin with his television show "The Crocodile Hunter." He learned about the planes, tanks and guns used in fighting during World War II. His parents, who divorced and remarried, tried to foster those interests and give him opportunities to learn. They traveled to places, such as Washington, D.C. and the beaches at Normandy, France, to provide him with experiences. Nancy Duarte Matarese said she and her son were close and always spent time together. As an only child, he participated in the adult world. She home schooled him for a few years. She served on the planning and parks and recreation commissions while living in Antioch, California, and she'd bring him along to meetings while he waited for his father to pick him up. He'd draw with a pencil or pen on a pad of paper. She keeps one of his drawings of a dump truck in her portfolio. He graduated in 2013 from Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek, California. Andrew Duarte, who liked rules and order, considered going into the military, his mother recalled, but the U.S. Marines were not recruiting for what he wanted at the time. He pivoted to criminal justice. He started as a seasonal police officer for Ocean City, Md. He underwent an intense six weeks of training before serving on the streets. After graduation from the academy, his mother pinned his police badge on his shirt. "I can remember my hand shaking when I was trying to pin his badge on," she said, adding she knew it would put her child in the path of danger. "It wasn't lost on me." After the summer, he finished his final semester at college and graduated summa cum laude in less than four years. Andrew Duarte, who wanted to be a police officer in a large city, landed a job in Denver, Colorado. It's where he excelled in enforcement of driving under the influence, earning him a Hero Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado. It involved working nights and going to court during the day. His mother traveled out West to see him, and he'd come home for vacation. In Colorado, they spent time visiting places, including Rocky Mountain National Park and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He also earned his pilot's license and flew small planes, although his mother never had the opportunity to fly with him. Nancy Duarte Matarese, who has lived in York County for more than a decade, wanted her son to live closer to her. She worried about her son during the coronavirus pandemic and the national protests following the death of George Floyd. Nancy Duarte Matarese had her son text her every morning when he got home. For a time, Nancy Duarte Matarese pondered getting a place in Colorado if he decided to put roots down there. "I didn't want to live the rest of my life apart from him," she said. "... Now I have to live the rest of my life without him." 'He had the heart of a lion': Father of fallen police Officer Andrew Duarte mourns his son In 2022, Andrew Duarte moved home, taking a position with the West York Borough Police Department. He lived with his mother for about a year before buying his own home. They'd walk, hike, and play disc golf. They'd go to the grocery store and plan meals for the week. "I was very happy to have him home," she said. The last time Nancy Duarte Matarese saw her son alive was on Thursday, Feb. 20 when he came over for breakfast. He was wearing the new clothes and shoes she had bought him for his birthday, which was on Monday, Feb. 17. They were going to take a walk but ran out of time because she needed to go to work. "I hugged him and kissed him goodbye and I told him to be smart and be safe, which I always did," she said. His mother said she can see him walking out the driveway and getting into his car. She would always stand on the porch and wave. Mourners from across the country flew or drove to York County to pay their respects during his funeral service on Friday, Feb. 28 at Living Word Community Church in York Township. Hundreds of police vehicles participated in his funeral procession. Nancy Duarte Matarese said she had no idea how many mourners would attend her son's funeral to honor him. "To really witness the brotherhood of police officers and the fellowship of police officers and how deep that runs, I had no idea," she said. "And I could see why Andrew liked it. Because you know, you've got each other's back and I could see why he liked that. There's something about being part of something like that." Many people gave of their time and effort to plan the massive funeral in less than a week, she said. They set aside their life for a period of time for her son, who they may not have known. "Everybody that spoke did such an amazing job, and the service was really amazing," she said. Nancy Duarte Matarese's home is filled with flowers and artwork created in her son's memory. She also received a prayer shawl and an afghan made by a woman in her 90s. She said her son was a blessing every day. He had accepted Christ as his savior when he was a teenager. "I'm not confused about where he is. I know he's in heaven, and there's comfort in that," she said. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Officer Andrew Duarte's mother speaks about his death and her memories
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania officer's last act after he was shot was to rescue a colleague, police chief says
A police officer who was shot to death while responding to an armed man with hostages inside a Pennsylvania hospital intensive care unit was remembered Friday as a dedicated public servant who did not hesitate to run toward danger and died a hero. Hundreds of fellow officers and others filled the Living Word Community Church in Red Lion for the funeral of West York Police Officer Andrew W. Duarte. West York Police Chief Matthew Millsaps said Duarte, 30, realized he had just been shot Saturday and made it to the safety of cover when he saw that a fellow officer was down and in what Millsaps described as a compromised position. 'Andrew's last physical act on the face of this earth was to run back towards the threat area,' dragging the other officer to safety and holding his hand in comfort, Millsaps said, speaking in front of Duarte's flag-draped coffin. 'When they made it to cover, Andrew collapsed and died.' Millsaps said Duarte had 'put the mission first and he gave a damn. I only pray that I'll go the same way.' Duarte was the second or third officer to respond to the hostage situation at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Millsaps said. The attacker, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, was killed and several others were wounded. Hundreds of uniformed officers lined the road into the church, and a large flag was draped between the ladders on two fire trucks. Duarte's family and fellow officers recalled his sense of humor, compassion, integrity and professional commitment. Gov. Josh Shapiro called Duarte someone who always 'got the job done and worked tirelessly to protect his community, to be a great colleague, and of course, to carry a great big stick. He was a good man and he was a good cop.' At UPMC Memorial Hospital last weekend, Shapiro said, 'he ran toward danger so his fellow citizens could understandably run away safely.' Accounts of nurses who survived the attack have been shared in Facebook posts, disclosing details about their injuries and treatment and how the events have haunted those who lived through it. York County District Attorney Tim Barker said Archangel-Ortiz appeared to have had recent contact with the intensive care unit 'for a medical purpose involving another person' but didn't elaborate. Born in Oakland, California, Duarte had served on the West York police force since 2022. Before that, he spent five years with the Denver Police Department in Colorado, and served as a seasonal officer with the Ocean City Police Department in Maryland. An obituary said he earned a degree in criminal justice and police science from California University of Pennsylvania. His interests included photography, guitar, hiking and traveling. Survivors include his parents and his girlfriend. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
The Independent
28-02-2025
- The Independent
Family and friends prepare for funeral of officer killed in Pennsylvania hospital shooting
A procession with law enforcement officers is planned for the Friday funeral of a Pennsylvania police officer who was shot and killed while coming to the rescue of medical personnel and patients during an attack on a hospital intensive care unit last weekend. Family members, friends and fellow officers are expected to attend the service for West York Patrolman Andrew Duarte at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Duarte, 30, was killed while responding to a man with a gun who took hostages inside UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. The attacker, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, also was killed and several others were wounded. The 1 p.m. service is closed to the public but will be livestreamed by the church. Accounts of nurses who survived the attack have been shared in Facebook posts, disclosing details about their injuries and treatment and how the events have haunted those who lived through it. York County District Attorney Tim Barker said Archangel-Ortiz appeared to have had recent contact with the intensive care unit 'for a medical purpose involving another person' but didn't elaborate. Born in Oakland, California, Duarte had served on the West York police force since 2022. Before that, he spent five years with the Denver Police Department in Colorado. An obituary said he earned a degree in criminal justice and police science from California University of Pennsylvania and his interests included photography, guitar, hiking and traveling. Survivors include his parents and his girlfriend.
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Associated Press
Family and friends prepare for funeral of officer killed in Pennsylvania hospital shooting
RED LION, Pa. (AP) — A procession with law enforcement officers is planned for the Friday funeral of a Pennsylvania police officer who was shot and killed while coming to the rescue of medical personnel and patients during an attack on a hospital intensive care unit last weekend. Family members, friends and fellow officers are expected to attend the service for West York Patrolman Andrew Duarte at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Duarte, 30, was killed while responding to a man with a gun who took hostages inside UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. The attacker, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49, also was killed and several others were wounded. The 1 p.m. service is closed to the public but will be livestreamed by the church. Accounts of nurses who survived the attack have been shared in Facebook posts, disclosing details about their injuries and treatment and how the events have haunted those who lived through it. recent contact with the intensive care unit 'for a medical purpose involving another person' but didn't elaborate. Born in Oakland, California, Duarte had served on the West York police force since 2022. Before that, he spent five years with the Denver Police Department in Colorado. An obituary said he earned a degree in criminal justice and police science from California University of Pennsylvania and his interests included photography, guitar, hiking and traveling. Survivors include his parents and his girlfriend.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
'I couldn't be prouder of a son,' says grieving father of fallen West York Police officer
Gary Duarte of Danville, California received a text on Saturday morning from his ex-wife saying: "Drew's been shot. Call me." Their son, West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte, responded to an active shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital, where a man had taken the staff of the ICU hostage. Five people — a doctor, a nurse, a custodian and two officers, suffered injuries. Duarte was mortally wounded. Nancy Duarte Matarese informed the father that there had been an incident at a hospital, and she was being escorted by police to another medical center. Gary Duarte said he subsequently called his local priest and asked him to pray for their son. His ex-wife later called back while meeting with doctors at the hospital and placed it on speaker phone. He listened as the physicians explained that their son had been hit in the chest, and he had suffered damage to his lungs and blood vessels to his heart. There was nothing they could do. Officer Andrew Duarte, 30, died at 12:19 p.m. Saturday from his injuries, the York County Coroner's office said. He was their only child. "I still have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that he's gone," Gary Duarte said. Officer Andrew Duarte died exactly one year after the death of his grandmother, Betty Duarte, who love him dearly. Both perished in the afternoon, Gary Duarte said. Andrew Duarte grew up in California and graduated from Berean Christian High School in 2013. He didn't want to stay in The Golden State, his father said, and chose to study criminal justice at California University of Pennsylvania, now part of Pennsylvania Western University. His mother lives in York County. Andrew Duarte graduated summa cum laude in less than four years. His took his first job in law enforcement as a seasonal police officer in Ocean City, Maryland, and subsequently landed a job with the Denver Police Department in Colorado in 2017. He developed a passion for driving under the influence enforcement, his father said. He became a leader as a state drug recognition expert, and in 2021, he received a Hero Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving Colorado for his effort to save lives, according to the nonprofit organization. Gary Duarte thinks his son missed his family. He applied for a job the West York Borough Police Department and started there in 2022. Gary Duarte said he followed the news on the small department's Facebook page, and he'd ask his son about his work. His son purchased a house in York Township a little more than a year ago. "When he bought a home, I knew that's where he wanted to be," Gary Duarte said. Officer Andrew Duarte was a small man, his father said, but "he had the heart of a lion." It didn't surprise Gary Duarte that his son was at the scene of the active shooter incident to protect the lives of innocent people. He described Andrew Duarte as brave and dedicated. His death is a tragic loss for his family and the community, Gary Duarte said. He remembered his son as a wonderful, loving and caring young man. "I couldn't be prouder of a son," he said. "He was amazing." Gary Duarte will by flying to the East Coast this week for the funeral services for his son. A service to celebrate Officer Andrew Duarte's life will be held Friday afternoon at Living Word Community Church in Windsor Township. It will be livestreamed for the public to watch. While he is in town, Gary Duarte plans to visit the West York Borough Police department, the hospital and businesses that have been hosting fundraisers for the family. He has seen pictures of the memorial of candles, flowers and balloons on the steps of the police department. He has watched videos of law enforcement processions escorting his son's body. And he has been following the news coverage about his son's death and the community's response to the tragedy. Duarte said he has been humbled by the outpouring of love and support for the family. "That gives us a lot of comfort," he said. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dad of fallen West York officer: 'I couldn't be prouder of a son'
