Flesh-eating bacteria kills retired Philadelphia police officer

An Oxford business owner, chamber of commerce president, Navy veteran and retired Philadelphia police officer died from a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection on Thursday.

Jerome Rodio, 75, was infected on a fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay when he was scratched on his arm while helping someone pull in crab traps, according to Chester Country Press. He died at University of Maryland Hospital after his condition worsened.

“This has put a hole in the heart of Oxford,” a friend of Rodio’s, Betsy Brantner, said at a prayer service. “It’s a tremendous loss. We all loved him and he loved everyone else.”

The service was originally intended to be a meeting to pray for Rodio’s recovery.

A visitation and funeral service will be take place on Wednesday starting at 10 a.m at Stella Maris Church, 2901 S. 10th Street in Philadelphia, according to NBC10.