Beloved Pittsburgh Police Officer Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — Dawn Mercurio, a city police sergeant who left a teaching career at 37 to pursue the law enforcement field, died Wednesday. She was 53.

Mercurio succumbed to kidney cancer.

Mercurio "fell ill in September of 2020, after being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma," a statement from her family said. "This left her unable to continue her service to our great Pittsburgh communities. Dawn served honorably, respectfully, and with great empathy
toward those in need."

Mercurio's first assignment was at the Zone 2 police station. There, she worked as a
uniformed patrol officer before being selected for a detective position. She then transferred to Zone 6, where she was promoted to sergeant in 2018. Her illness forced her into retirement in 2021.

Mercurio also was an adjunct instructor at the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy and worked closely with Pittsburgh SWAT as a negotiator. Thats gave her the opportunity to work alongside her husband, Sgt. Larry Mercurio, a long time member of the Pittsburgh SWAT team.

Mercurio is survived by her husband, two daughters - Taylor and Alexis - and grandsons Colton and Ryder.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.