Loss of Grand Island Police Investigator Christopher Marcello

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The Grand Island Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own following the unexpected death of investigator Christopher Marcello.

The department said with heavy hearts, the 42-year-old died of natural causes this week, leaving them before his time.

Marcello began his career at the Grand Island Police Department in 2013, and served on patrol, as a school resource officer at Grand Island Senior High, and as an investigator.

GIPD said he received the department’s Life Saving Award, embodying the model of a true hero.

“Chris had the heart and desire to save children as a Child Abuse Investigator, the patience and leadership to train future Police Officers as a Field Training Officer, and the cunning and bravery to go into the worst situations as a member of our Tactical Response Unit,” GIPD said in a release.

He was a 23 year veteran of the US. Army National Guard Alpha Troop 1/134th Cavalry Squadron where he was deployed several times to Bosnia, Irag, and Afghanistan. He retired at the rank of First Sergeant.

GIPD’s Captain Dean Elliott told Local4 News Marcello was a Grandfather figure to those around him on the force.

“Part of that is years of service he has been with the department, but the other part of it is just the person he is away from the department,” Captain Elliott said. “The loving caring father of his children, the ability to serve his country for as long as he has and the things he has seen and done.”

Elliott also said the department is looking for ways to honor Marcello’s legacy.

“Yet, that is not what defined Chris to most at our agency,” said Grand Island Police. “Chris was an Atlas for the department.”

GIPD said he was always willing to shoulder any burden for his fellow officers, and the citizens of our community every day, and do it with a smirk and sarcastic wit that brightened any situation. His cool head and easy demeanor, always improved an outcome regardless of the weight of the situation.

“Chris was a hero in every sense that the word can be defined, and he will be missed.”

Outside of GIPD, superiors remember Marcello being a family man.

“The very first thing in the forethought of his mind is his family and his children,” Captain Elliott said. “They always came first, he always made sure they never went without, and although he was a military man and was deployed many times he always made sure the family was taken care of.”

The department ask to pray for peace for Marcello’s family as they cope with the difficult time.

“Rest easy brother. We will take it from here.”

Following the news of Investigator Marcello’s death, other first responders and partner agencies shared their thoughts and prayers to Grand Island Police on social media. Several added the mourning band to their profiles or sharing posts.

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