More than 100 people gathered Wednesday evening outside New Kensington City Hall to honor the life of fallen New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.
New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo led a memorial service near the Brian Shaw Memorial outside City Hall on the fourth anniversary of Shaw’s death.
Shaw was shot and killed Nov. 17, 2017, during a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Leishman Avenue. He had served with the New Kensington Police Department for five months.
“Brian will always live on in our hearts, our souls,” Guzzo said as members of the crowd bowed their heads for a moment of silence. “Let’s give thanks for the lasting and wonderful memories that each of us are blessed to have with Brian.”
A Lower Burrell resident, Shaw graduated from Burrell High School and, later, Slippery Rock University with a degree in criminal justice.
Shaw’s brother, Steffan, in attendance with his parents, Stefan and Lisa Shaw, fought back tears as he addressed the crowd.
“I know we’re at four years, but it means the world that we still have everyone coming down here,” Steffan said. “We’re extremely grateful for your continued support throughout all of this. It’s you guys that carry us through this — that keeps us strong. And we thank each and every one of you.”
Retired Brackenridge police Chief Jamie Bock, 68, never misses a Shaw memorial.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family. We just had to be here,” Bock said. “Police is a brotherhood, and you show anything you can to pay your respect.”
Mayor Guzzo described Shaw as a son, a brother, a boyfriend, an officer and someone who meant much to so many.
“When we look at an officer, we see the humanity that runs toward danger and not from it,” Guzzo said. “The humanity that responds to every call for service, not knowing whether it will be the last. The humanity that was Brian Shaw.”
