Members of Burrell's National Honor Society dedicate benches in honor of fallen officers

Ashley McIntire’s most recent trip to her alma mater was meaningful and memorable.

The wife of slain Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire returned to Burrell High School on Thursday morning for the school’s dedication of benches for local first responders killed in the line of duty.

The school’s National Honor Society presented the benches in remembrance of McIntire, Lower Burrell police Officer Derek Kotecki and New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw.

“It means everything,” said Ashley, a 2005 Burrell graduate.

She said it was comforting seeing other families of fallen officers, knowing that her family is not alone. She said the tribute by Burrell students made the recognition special.

Sgt. Mike Duffy, Brackenridge’s officer-in-charge, echoed Ashley’s sentiments and said it was an “amazing tribute.”

The region is forever indebted to the heroism of the fallen officers, student Camden Seidel said.

All three had connections to Burrell High School, he said.

“While we would like to think this common connection was at least partially responsible for the heroes they became, we know that much of it came down to who they were as people,” Seidel said. “Each of them was an exceptional person in his own right who loved to serve others.”

Kotecki, 40, was killed in the line of duty Oct. 12, 2011, in an ambush at the Dairy Queen along Greensburg Road.

Shaw, 25, was shot and killed Nov. 17, 2017, during a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Leishman Avenue.

McIntire, 46, was killed in the line of duty Jan. 2 near the intersection of Brackenridge Avenue and Morgan Street.

Kotecki graduated from Burrell in 1989 and raised his family in the area. His sons also graduated from Burrell.

“Members of this year’s graduating class recall lining Leechburg Road to pay their respects to Officer Kotecki with their first grade teachers on that day in November 2011,” Seidel said.

Shaw graduated from Burrell in 2010. Teachers and classmates remembered him as an outstanding athlete, student and person, Seidel said.

Burrell High School students Andi Householder, Britta Lindgren, Maddie Gerthoffer, Ava Rusiewicz, Lily Dombroski and Seidel orchestrated the project and led the presentation at the football field.

The benches, built by National Honor Society members, are inscribed with the officers’ end of watch date and a quote.

Seidel said they will be delivered to their respective police departments.

“The hope is that these benches will help remind us of the importance of service to both the communities they served and society as a whole,” Seidel said. “Furthermore, they will remind us of three great heroes.”

Seidel said the organization participates in at least one service project each year. This year, they wanted to “honor three men who not only epitomize the concept of service but also those of dedication, honor and sacrifice,” he said.

Attendees of Thursday’s dedication ceremony included Julie and Alex Kotecki, the fallen officer’s wife and son; elected officials from Lower Burrell; state Rep. Abby Major; representatives from state Sen. Joe Pittman’s office; local law enforcement; and Burrell administrators.

“We really wanted to get the community involved,” Rusiewicz said.

Seidel told his classmates that the next time they see a first responder, they should acknowledge and thank them.

The students thanked their advisers, Kim Abel and Anthony Facemyre, for their guidance as they worked on the project.

“Next time you encounter any first responder, be sure to acknowledge them for what they do every day to keep us safe and healthy,” Seidel said. “A simple ‘thank you’ is the least any of us can do.”