Community joins forces to help with Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire's funeral

Businesses, volunteers, students and others stepped up in unexpected ways to help give Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire the funeral he deserves.

From a free burial plot and vault to a horse-drawn funeral caisson, donations of goods and services for McIntire’s funeral stretch beyond the Alle-Kiski Valley.

“The family is overwhelmed, touched and grateful at the outpouring of love and support from the local communities and the law enforcement communities,” said Ross Walker, owner of Ross G. Walker Funeral Home in New Kensington who spoke on behalf of the McIntire family.

More than 100 students at the Northern Westmoreland and Central Westmoreland career and technology centers were busy Monday making pastries and cookies for upward of 1,000 visiting police officers in addition to other first responders and volunteers working the McIntire funeral detail.

“We completely respect and support our public safety service providers, and we are always willing to assist the community in any way we possibly can,” said Jason Lucia, administrative director of Central Westmoreland CTC.

The school likes to find opportunities to align its students with something that is bigger and better for the community, he said.

“Our goal at CTC is not only to train students in the industry they are studying, but to produce good kids and good people for the community,” Lucia said.

The Salvation Army set up its coffee and canteen truck for visiting police during the two days of visitation and the funeral service, Walker said. Several local families are paying for dinners for the family and sentries guarding McIntire’s casket, he added.

The River Community Church, along Freeport Road across the street from the funeral home, opened its doors to first responders attending McIntire’s funeral service and visitations throughout the week.

The church previously offered its facilities for services for Officers Derek Kotecki and Brian Shaw, other local fallen police officers.

“It just made sense to make the space available to the community and officers,” said Dean Ward, the church’s pastor. “We are open to being a blessing any way we can.”

“My heart breaks for the McIntire family and their children,” Ward said. “If we can provide a little bit of support — all of us are grieving — we are grateful for the opportunity to do this.”

Mindy Stoops of West Sunbury in Butler County, owner and operator of Misty Lane Farms, heard about McIntire’s death and provided a horse and carriage, as she had done for other funeral services for Walker.

“I called Ross and said, ‘Hey, I can do this for you,’ ” Stoops said.

Faith Lutheran Church in Harrison donated a burial plot for McIntire in Mt. Airy Cemetery, and the cemetery has donated internment services.

Wilbert Funeral Services Inc. took the initiative to reach out to Walker to offer a top-of-the-line burial vault, estimated to cost several thousand dollars. Wilbert’s national office in Kansas City tracks first responders’ deaths and offers free burial vaults, said Sean Jameson, plant manager for Wilbert in Pittsburgh.

“We want to make sure first responders get the recognition they deserve,” Jameson said.

Since 2012, the national vault company has donated more than 1,200 burial vaults and cremation products. “The program is designed to help those families in need,” Jameson said.

Given all the expenses for a funeral, Wilbert wanted to “do something to participate and help relinquish some of the burdens,” Jameson said.

W.L. Roenigk of Buffalo Township and ABC Transit Inc. of Harmar offered to provide free shuttle services to the funeral home. Elite Coach Transportation of Murrysville offered a free limousine and other vehicles for the service, Walker said.

The Walker funeral home provided a free high-end casket, Walker said.

“I feel extraordinarily bad for the family,” he said, “and I feel you can never do enough to help a hero. We’re honored to handle the service.”

Community organizers tapped local business and nonprofits to rustle up food and refreshments for visiting and working police officers.

“When people are standing around for hours, the least we can do is to provide them with something to eat and a cup of coffee,” said Leslie Uncapher Zellers of Allegheny Township, a volunteer who coordinated donations for the morning of the funeral. She did the same for the Kotecki and Shaw funerals.

Local businesses and nonprofits donating included: Community Supermarkets in Harrison and Lower Burrell, Donut Connection in Harrison and New Kensington, Walmart in Harrison,Oakmont Bakery, Ashley’s Kitchen in New Kensington, Cora Lee Cupcakes in New Kensington, Sheetz stores, Shop ’n Save in North Apollo, Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police’s coffee and food truck, Light of Life Rescue Mission’s food truck, Eat’n Park in Harrison, Giant Eagle in New Kensington, Zamp’s Brew Thru, McGuire’s Family Auto Service in Allegheny Township, and others.