A “hard-working and motivated” NYPD veteran officer tragically died Tuesday morning after suffering an apparent medical episode and hitting his head on icy pavement, according to law enforcement sources and the police union.
Officer Hector Dillon was off-duty when he appeared to have experienced a medical episode on West 120th Street near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. in Harlem around 11 a.m. and fell, hitting his head, cops and sources said.
He was found lying on the ground unconscious and unresponsive and was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside, where he succumbed to his injuries, cops said.
Dillon joined the NYPD in July of 2011 and was most recently assigned to the 75th Precinct, covering East New York, Brooklyn, according to the Police Benevolent Association.
He leaves behind a wife and four kids – from the ages of 9 to 24 – and was also attending nursing school, the union said.
“Police Officer Hector Dillon was a hard-working and motivated cop who dedicated his life to helping others,” PBA President Patrick Hendry said in a statement.
“He didn’t just serve this city in uniform – on his own time, he was studying to advance his career and help more people. Our hearts break for the family and friends he leaves behind, and we will be there to support him in any way we can.”
The city medical examiner’s office will officially determine Dillon’s cause of death.
