Four Pittsburgh police officers injured during the October synagogue shooting threw out the first pitch during the Pirates home opener at PNC Park on Monday.
Officers Timothy Matson, Anthony Burke, Dan Mead and Michael Smidga each threw pitches during the pregame ceremony.
Officers Anthony Burke, Timothy Matson, Dan Mead, and Michael Smidga, four Pittsburgh Police officers who were wounded at the Tree of Life shooting, threw out the first pitch at the @Pirates Home Opener. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/IuSx47EONJ
— Pittsburgh Police (@PghPolice) April 1, 2019
Broadcaster Greg Brown announced the men, all of whom were wounded by gunfire during the Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
“Thanks to their bravery and courage, they confronted the shooter, took gunfire, were wounded themselves and undoubtedly prevented further tragedy,” he said.
Eleven worshippers among three congregations were killed in the shooting.
Mead and Smidga were two of the first officers to arrive in the minutes after the shooting began at about 9:45 a.m. at the start of Shabbat services. Mead was shot in the hand, and Smidga sustained either a graze or shrapnel wound to his face.
Matson and Burke were shot during a gun battle with the alleged gunman inside the synagogue. Matson, shot multiple times, remained hospitalized for days following the shooting, and he underwent a number of surgeries.
We’re here for the @Pirates Home Opener! Members of Pittsburgh Public Safety will throw out the first pitch and be a part of the pre-game ceremony honoring Tree of Life First Responders. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/xEWO93Ua34
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) April 1, 2019
