Holly MatkinHemet, CA – Hemet Police Department (HPD) Officer John Dombrowski died unexpectedly while off-duty at his home on June 28, according to his department.
The HPD said in a press release that the 39-year-old officer “passed away peacefully” at his house.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) responded to the officer’s French Valley/Winchester area residence at 2:25 p.m., The Press-Enterprise reported.
HPD Spokesperson Alan Reyes said Officer Dombrowski had worked the previous Friday and that he was slated to start his next set of shifts on Wednesday.
“The cause of death is unknown at this time,” the department said.
Officer Dombrowski joined the HPD as a police officer trainee in April of 2013.
After graduating from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Training Academy that October, he was sworn as a full-time police officer.
Officer Dombrowski started out in the patrol unit and later began working as a school resource officer in 2017.
He returned to patrol in 2019.
Over 500 people offered their condolences to the HPD in response to the announcement of Officer Dombrowski’s sudden death.
“Officer Dombrowski served the City of Hemet and its residents with class, honor, and dignity,” the HPD said. “He will be greatly missed by his brothers and sisters in blue here at the Hemet Police Department.”
Officer Dombrowski leaves behind his wife, as well as his daughter and son.
“Please join us in extending prayers and our deepest condolences to the Dombrowski family as they mourn their loss,” the HPD said.
A fundraising campaign established to help Officer Dombrowski’s family in the wake of their loss has raised over $1,600 so far.
The Hemet Police Department has established a memorial honoring Officer John Dombrowski. This memorial is open to all members of the public wishing to stop by and pay their respects. It is located at the Hemet Public Library parking lot.#hemet #hemetca pic.twitter.com/z95CaZz6Ja
— Hemet PD (@HemetPolice911) June 29, 2022
Hemet PD Officers Passes Away At Home
Read: https://t.co/Ig7NB4Zg9V pic.twitter.com/9aFoAGZ1vW
— Hemet PD (@HemetPolice911) June 29, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Hemet Police Department (HPD) Officer John Dombrowski, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
