Entrance To Park Honoring Fallen Officer Unveiled

LOWER BURRELL (KDKA) -- The entrance to a Lower Burrell park honoring a fallen police officer was unveiled Saturday.

Officer Derek Kotecki was fatally shot by a man who was wanted on charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in October of 2011. Kotecki was a K-9 officer and an 18-year veteran of the Lower Burrell police force.

Now, his memory is being honored with the Officer Kotecki Memorial Park. Saturday morning, the entrance archway to the park was unveiled. The entrance features a badge and a tribute to Odin, Kotecki's K-9 partner.

(Photo Credit: Facebook/The City of Lower Burrell)

There is still additional work to be done, such as landscaping and concrete work, so the main entrance is not yet open.

"This is not only a memorial to Officer Kotecki's sacrifice for our city's safety, but also how one person can continue to have an impact on so many lives!" councilman Christopher Koziarski wrote on the City of Lower Burrell Facebook page.

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