From north and south, hundreds gathered Friday to remember Texas cowboy and York Area Regional Police Corporal Michael Georgiou. He died August 3 in an ATV accident in his hometown in Texas.
The memorial was held at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, York County. Georgiou served the police department for more than a decade.
Loved ones who spoke say he was dedicated to his job, a “top of the line” cop, who drew friends everywhere with his sense of fun. The seats were filled with people wearing a mix of cowboy hats and police uniforms.
“He had a comment that he made that in a lot of things, he was worse than some but better than most,” says Chief Tom Gross of the York Area Regional Police. “So I kind of like to think that he made us better than most.”
One man got up to speak who nobody knew. Talking to several rows of police officers, he said he didn’t know if he’d be wanted. He’d been arrested by Georgiou 17 times, and he said the officer fought for him to get into a drug treatment program, turning his life around.
“I know what it’s like to be a man now,” he said.
Georgiou’s boots were stacked facing backwards on his police motorcycle.
“All over, just a loss that we’re not going to be able to replace,” says Gross.
The York Area Regional Police Association has set up a memorial fund For Cpl. Georgiou. Donations can be sent to 33 Oak Street, York, PA 17402, with “Georgiou Fund” written in the memo of checks. All proceeds will go to a trust established for the Corporal’s daughter, Mikaela, 14.
