Late Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire remembered at candlelight vigil, with his own day in the Highlands School District

A police chief, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of his community, was honored a year after his death.

Close to 200 people gathered for a vigil at Brackenridge Memorial Park on a cold Wednesday night, warmed a little by candles but mostly by each other, in memory of Chief Justin McIntire.

McIntire, 46, was gunned down during a manhunt Jan. 2, 2023.

“We gather under the stars to remember and honor a true hero,” said resident and vigil organizer Amanda O’Connor, a former Allegheny County 911 dispatcher and founder of the Chief Justin McIntire Memorial Foundation.

“His dedication and bravery in serving and protecting our community will never be forgotten. In the face of danger, our chief stood tall embodying the values of courage, integrity (and) selflessness that define the best of law enforcement.”

O’Connor was one of several speakers who stood at a podium decorated with a green wreath with a black-and-blue ribbon, blue flowers and a thin blue line American flag in the center. The bottom of the podium was lit by several small blue electric candles.

Hanging above the stage was a banner that read “Forever Watching Over Us” with McIntire’s name and badge in the center.

“The loss of our chief is a wound that still aches in our hearts, but in this sorrow we also find strength and unity,” O’Connor said.

School district remembers

The late chief was honored by the Highlands School District earlier in the day.

Blue ribbons, gray T-shirts and gold police badges filled the halls at Highlands Elementary School in Tarentum as the district marked its first Chief Justin McIntire Day.

“Today is an important day to remember our fallen hero,” Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said. “He gave his life to protect our community, and we want to continue to honor and celebrate his memory.”

Students and staff were encouraged to wear blue to mark the day. Officers from Tarentum, Brackenridge and Harrison greeted students as they arrived at the high school and middle school, and black bows adorned the front of ABC Transit buses delivering students to each building.

Fourth grader Brantley Kilgore sported a bright-blue T-shirt with the American flag and a police officer with angel wings. He said it was a sad day and that he was “thinking of the chief’s loss.”

Elementary Principal Stan Whiteman noted the anniversary is a tough concept for some of the younger children, but the district wanted to make sure students were ever-aware of police heroics.

“Our students and staff remember Chief McIntire today by wearing T-shirts with his name and blue clothing,” Whiteman said. “I am both humbled and proud to support all officers who help to keep us safe each day.”

Mawhinney said police are a common site in district buildings, often high-fiving and chatting with students.

“Chief McIntire was the same,” she said. “He made it a point to have a presence.”

McIntire graduated from Highlands High before going on to the Allegheny County Police Academy.

His dad, Lee, is a longtime district security guard, and Mawhinney said the memorial event honors him as well.

“I’m sure it’s overwhelming and bittersweet, but I hope it means the world to the whole family,” she said.

Remembrances continued throughout the day, with a 5 p.m. ceremony at Highlands Community Center along California Avenue where a memorial plaque was unveiled.

The high school honors choir sang “Amazing Grace” at the vigil.

Highlands High School honors choir singing at late Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire’s vigil. pic.twitter.com/bhFXIjJ4gy

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) January 4, 2024

Thoughts and prayers

The Rev. Dean Ward of the River Community Church in New Kensington said three themes and values stand out when thinking back about McIntire’s life.

They were service, community and “to be ready.”

Ward said McIntire would encourage people to look for ways to serve and bless others “in a world that is so self-centered and ‘me’-centric.”

Being ready meant being prepared for the inevitable last day, Ward said.

“The uncomfortable reality that none of us really like to think that much about, but we come face-to-face with, in times like this, is that one day this day will come for each of us,” Ward said.

“We don’t know how. We don’t know what that will look like, but Justin’s came on Jan. 2, 2023. One day mine will come and so will yours. … I don’t know if there might be a gap between you and the Lord, but might I suggest if there is that you will give attention to whatever is in that gap.

”May each of us choose to honor the legacy that Justin left for us to live.”

The Rev. Nick Chybrzynski of Generations House of Worship in Brackenridge had people hold hands and pray.

He recalled how McIntire would be called to Generations House due to noise complaints stemming from loud worship services.

Chybrzynski said those incidents provided an opportunity to explain the positive impact the church was trying to make.

“We’re a loud church,” Chybrzynski said. He lead the crowd in rounds of applause for McIntire, his family and other first responders.

“Chief, we love you. We miss you. And for all of our EMTs, all of our police departments, all of those who have made it happen, thank you,” Chybrzynski said. “Let’s leave here with purpose. I know we’re going to leave here frozen, but let’s leave here with fire in our hearts. Amen.”

Randy Wagner of New Kensington was in front of the crowd, closest to the stage, wearing a blue Back the Blue T-shirt with Mogie’s Pub written on the sleeve.

The Lower Burrell bar was owned by David “Mogie” Magill, who was gunned down as he arrived at his business Dec. 21.

Wagner said he joined the Alle-Kiski Back the Blue committee shortly after McIntire’s death as a way to help support police departments throughout the A-K Valley.

The committee raises funds for equipment and other means of officer support.

Wagner commended vigil participants, its organizer and said, “we’re all Alle-Kiski Valley.”

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser offered a message of togetherness during her speech, and how both McIntire and Magill’s death impacted the Valley.

“(Last year) felt like a really long year — sort of book-ended by these tragedies in our community,” Fraser said.

Fraser called McIntire “a kind, gentle, soft soul” who was “much quicker to a smile than he was to anger.”

The mayor encouraged people to be an influence for peace and to not take first responders for granted.

She also thanked first responders, the churches involved in the vigil, state and federal officials in attendance and especially McIntire’s family for “the grace and perseverance” they have shown through their grief.

“You have really led the way for all of us on how to navigate this together as a community the way you have navigated it together as a family,” Fraser said.

Madeline Struhar of Leechburg sang “Hallelujah” while her uncle, Fred Tady of Tarentum, played guitar.

She altered some of the lyrics in memory of McIntire.

Brackenridge American Legion Post 226 provided coffee and hot chocolate for those who attended.