Back the Blue donates $2,000 to Brackenridge police in McIntire's memory

The Back the Blue fundraising committee again showed its appreciation for local police Thursday with a donation to the Brackenridge Police Department.

Ron Balla Jr. of New Kensington, president of the grassroots fundraising group, and other members of Back the Blue appeared before council Thursday evening to present a $2,000 check.

Balla said the donation is its first to the Brackenridge department and is in honor of police Chief Justin McIntire, who was shot and killed in the line of duty while trying to apprehend a fugitive in January.

According to a Facebook post about the presentation, the group told borough officials it intends to make a yearly donation to its police department in McIntire’s memory “on behalf of the community as a whole for as long as these officers serve and protect.”

According to Balla, other donations have been made to police departments in Arnold, New Kensington and Lower Burrell and another is forthcoming to Upper Burrell.

“In three years, we’ve dispersed about $40,000,” Balla said.

The money comes from donations, numerous fundraising events and activities such as the sale of T-shirts that honor officers killed in the line of duty, including Lower Burrell Officer Derek Kotecki and New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw.

“We couldn’t do any of this without support from the community,” Balla said.

Brackenridge Council President Tim Connelly and police Officer in Charge Mike Duffy accepted the donation on behalf of the department.

“I think it is great for these guys (Back the Blue), through all their support and hard work, to do this for any police department,” Connelly said.

“The financial support is appreciated, but we really appreciate their presence and support for our police community,” said Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser.

Connelly said the money is not earmarked for any particular use but will be spent on whatever needs the department might have.