“This is a huge loss to our community,” Barker said at a
press conference following the shooting. “It is absolutely clear, and beyond
any and all doubt, that the officers were justified in taking their action
using deadly force.”
Duarte was a law enforcement veteran who joined the West
York Borough Police Department in 2022 after five years with the Denver Police
Department in Colorado. He described receiving a “hero award” in 2021 from
Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work in impaired driving enforcement for
the state of Colorado.
“Let it not be lost on anyone the act of extraordinary
bravery and courage by the health care workers here, by the law enforcement
professionals … who ran toward danger to keep people safe,” Pa. Governor Josh Shapiro
said.
Today, in accordance with the United States flag code,
Governor Shapiro ordered United States and Commonwealth flags on all
Commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds across the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff immediately today, Saturday, February 22,
2025, to recognize the tragic shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York and in
honor of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte, who died in the line
of duty.
The flags shall be lowered to half-staff until the date of
interment, which has yet to be announced. All Pennsylvanians are invited to
participate in this tribute.
