Dayton Police Detective shot serving search warrant has died
last updated 11/07/2019
Dayton Police Detective Jorge R. Del Rio, who was shot while serving a drug-related search warrant has been taken off life support.
Event details
Event by: City of Dayton
Dayton Police Detective shot serving search warrant has died
Detective Jorge R. Del Rio
End of Watch: 11.7.2019
End of Watch: 11.7.2019
The City of Dayton and the Dayton Police Department are heartbroken to announce the passing of Detective Jorge R. Del Rio who succumbed to a line of duty injury today November 7, 2019.
Earlier today, hundreds of law enforcement officers, including dozens of Drug Enforcement Administration agents, gathered at Grandview Hospital to honor and bid farewell to our fallen colleague who one final time acted to save lives through the generous gift of organ donation.
We (Dayton Police) have not even begun to adjust to a professional and personal life that includes Jorge's absence. That is even truer for his family, friends and loved ones who were blessed to know Jorge and to benefit from his warm, generous spirit.
We request that community members hold his family, friends, colleagues and fellow law enforcement officers in thought, prayer, and heartfelt care.
Jorge leaves behind his wife Kathy, five daughters, three grand-daughters, and another grandchild on the way.
Funeral services are anticipated to be held next week and we will provide the details of these services when they are available.
The following are comments from various dignitaries honoring Detective Del Rio for his decades of selfless service to the community, region, and nation:
Nan Whaley, Dayton Mayor - "The entire Dayton community mourns with Detective Jorge Del Rio's family and colleagues. We are all grateful for his service and heroism. In the midst of this pain, we have heard many stories of his kindness, his dedication to service, and his love for this community. The Commission and I hold the Del Rio family in our prayers."
Shelley Dickstein, Dayton City Manager - "On behalf of the entire City organization, we offer our deep condolences to the family of Detective Del Rio. To lose such an extraordinary public servant is heartbreaking. Let us all honor Jorge's work by resembling the man that he was - compassionate, dedicated and committed to family and community."
Senator Rob Portman, Ohio - "Jane and I were saddened to hear the news today regarding Detective Del Rio. As a 30-year veteran of the force, he represented the best of the best. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and your entire team. The Dayton Police have already been through so much this year. I am proud of the service and sacrifices you and your officers continue to make on behalf of Dayton. Please know that you all have my full support."
Keith Martin, DEA Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Division - "The death of DEA Task Force Officer Jorge Del Rio is a huge loss to the DEA family and the entire law enforcement community. Our deepest condolences go out to his family. For nearly 30 years, Jorge worked tirelessly to safeguard our community from dangerous drug trafficking organizations and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."
Chris Melink, Former Supervisory Agent of Dayton DEA office - "I continue to hold you and the Dayton Police community in my thoughts and prayers. From my time, Jorge, regardless of agency, brought people together, with you I celebrate his life, his contributions, and his sacrifice! He was special indeed. Like all my interactions with Dayton PD, he was a team player! And his law enforcement contributions notwithstanding, he also adored his family...a good person in both uniform and at home. Such a tragic loss for Dayton and all of us who called him a friend. "
David DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio - "We continue our thoughts and prayers for those closest to Det. Del Rio. We will remain focused on seeking justice for him, his family and the Dayton Police Department."
Ben Glassman, Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio - "Det. Del Rio gave his life defending the Constitution and laws of the United States, after having spent decades working-and risking his life-in support of the same noble goal. A consummate professional beloved by those with whom he worked on the DEA task force and at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Det. Del Rio embodied the ideal of federal and local cooperation. I personally prosecuted several cases that he investigated. This is very hard. I grieve his loss."
Vipal Patel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio - "DEA Task Force Officer and Dayton Police Department Detective Jorge Del Rio was a witness in one of my first trials in the Dayton office... in 2005. It was a case against a drug dealer, of course. Detective Del Rio told it like it was. No doubt, his investigatory work on the case, and his unbiased testimony about what he did and found, went a long way to holding that drug dealer accountable for the poison he was pumping into our community. Detective Del Rio has been serving our community with work like that ever since. Where do people like him come from? The ones who continue down the stairs? What a debt of gratitude we owe them."
