Officer Dustin Bernatovich
In the early morning hours of January 28, 2019, League City Police Officer Dustin Bernatovich passed away at a local hospital after checking into the emergency room to seek treatment for a pre-existing condition.
Dustin was born in Kingston Pennsylvania on May 21, 1981, to Michael and Suzanne Bernatovich. Dustin was always involved in sports growing up and loved wrestling. While wrestling for his high school team, Dustin chose to shed 15 pounds so he could drop down to the 275 weight class. This change in lifestyle was the beginning of Dustin’s lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle. While attending Wilkes University, Dustin was a standout Defensive tackle for the Colonels.
Prior to becoming a League City Police Officer, Dustin served as a Rescue Swimmer in the United States Coast Guard from 2003 to 2013. Dustin’s first assignment with the Coast Guard was Airstation Miami. On a trip to Florida to visit Dustin, his father was waiting in the airport when he glanced up at a television monitor to see live footage of Dustin rescuing a Haitian woman in distress. Dustin was also one of the first rescue swimmers at the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Dustin would go on to serve the Coast Guard at Airstation New Orleans and Airstation Atlantic City, earning 16 awards to include the prestigious Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal.
Dustin joined the League City Police Department in July 2016 and quickly proved his mettle, earning him a place on the S.W.A.T. entry team. In 2018, he received the Chiefs Coin of Excellence for his response to the Santa Fe High School active shooter scene.
Dustin loved to be around friends and family, especially when there was craft beer and good food to be sampled. Dustin and his father loved to experience the art of craft brew together by visiting breweries and even attending the Atlantic City Beer Festival.
Every officer who worked with Dustin will tell you that he was an excellent police officer and a shining example of a law enforcement professional.
Dustin is survived by his father Michael, his mother Suzanne, his brother Michael, sister-in-law Allison, his three nieces, his grandparents Robert and Rosemarie Bernatovich and several aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 5-8 pm in the chapel of Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 E. Main St. League City, TX 77573. Funeral service will begin Friday, February 1, 2019 at 10am at Bay Area Church, 4800 W. Main St., League City, TX 77573.
Dustin’s family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the League City Police Officers’ Association (555 W. Walker St. c/o LCPOA, League City Tx. 77573) or the Austin Boxer Rescue (P.O. Box 14421, Austin Tx. 78761)
Our condolences to the family of Officer Bernatovich. We thank him for his service and may he rest in peace.
I am a School Liaison Deputy at a League City area school. Yesterday at lunch I was approached by a young lady who saw my uniform and was wanting to talk to m about her Hero Uncle, LCPD Officer Dustin Bernatovich. I listed for her entire lunch period with tears in my eyes at how close she was to her Uncle and how heartbroken she is. I wish I could have absorbed her pain and I hope she knows and the family knows that my family and I are praying for them all.
My condolences to the Bernatovich family. Dustin sounds like a remakable person,always self sacrificing himself for others. May the God of all comfort and peace be with the entire family at this difficult time. (Ps34:18)
I wanted to send by deepest condolence for the loss of this incredible young man. I can’t imagine the pain you feel but you can be proud of what your son accomplished in his life…I hope that you find joy and peace in those special memories spent together..Prayers do help in comforting the sadness…i am praying for your family.