Remembering Justin McIntire: Fallen Brackenridge police chief laid to rest after funeral service

Here is a look at some of the scenes from Chief Justin McIntire's funeral service.

It was a solemn scene in New Kensington on Wednesday.

The community came out in full force to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes to Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire. The officer died in the line of duty earlier this month.

While McIntire may be gone, his friends, family and colleagues know his passion and character will never be forgotten. Mount Saint Peter Church was filled to capacity and silent as clergy and fellow officers gave eulogies.

Looking over the crowd, Pastor Dean Ward read a letter from McIntire's mother.

"I was proud of you when you became a police officer and even prouder when you worked your way up to become chief," the letter said. "You loved this community and your people loved you.

"I prayed for your safe return every day and then every mother's nightmare happened. I love you, Justin more than you will ever know. I'm so thankful that God chose me to be your mother." 

Following in his father's footsteps, McIntire served his community for decades as a patrolman before being sworn in as chief four years ago. His father recalled driving his son around in his patrol car when he was little and allowing him to sound the siren and flash the lights.

He said his son died protecting the community he loved so much.

Following an emotional funeral service at Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington, law enforcement and first responders from around the area will lead the procession to Mt. Airy Cemetery in Natrona Heights. 

It is where Chief Justin McIntire will be laid to rest.

Bishop Larry Kulick, of the Diocese of Greensburg, called slain Brackinridge Chief Justin McIntire an agent for good. 

"Chief McIntire was a good man; he did good," Bishop Kulick said. "He was bringing justice under law. He believed in his community, he loved his community. He loved his family."

Hundreds of law enforcement officers came to New Kensington to mourn fallen Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire on Wednesday. 

The officers came from across the state and the country, some coming from as far away as Texas. KDKA-TV's Ross Guidotti heard some were even from Canada. 

Read more here.

An emotional remembrance from Chief Justin McIntire's father was read by Rev. Nathan Watkins. 

Chief McIntire's father is a retired police officer and very proud of his son.

"I was proud that you followed in my footsteps. You were the perfect person to carry on the McIntire policing tradition," Watkins read from the tribute written by Chief McIntire's father. "What I wouldn't give to hold you one more time, tell you I love you one more time, cast one more fishing line with you. You died as a hero."

Chief McIntire's father remembers his son as a "Star Wars" fan, a fisherman, an athlete and a beloved son who would play with the lights and sirens on his patrol car as a child.

He also remembered his son as caring deeply about the community. Chief McIntire helped the communities of Lower Burrell when Officer Derek Kotecki was killed in the line of duty, as well as New Kensington when Officer Brian Shaw was shot and killed.

Chief McIntire's children also remembered him with funny stories about their dad.

His son Jordan remembered the time he lost his father's fishing pole in Buffalo Creek, and Lexi remembered her dad finding her at a party when he responded to a noise complaint from neighbors. 

Chief McIntire's brother, Brandon, said he will miss his hunting and fishing partner and can't wait to see him at the sportsman's club again.

The funeral service is underway at Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church.

The service is being presided over by Fr. Ken Zaccagnini and began with the hymns "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace." 

The church is full as Chief McIntire is remembered by his family, friends, his fellow law enforcement officers and the community he protected.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers lined up in tribute as a horse-drawn carriage brought Chief McIntire's casket to Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington.

The service begins at noon with the burial immediately following at Mt. Airy Cemetery in Natrona Heights.

With the funeral in just a couple of hours, Pittsburgh Police cruisers could be seen departing the city for the service. 

Hours before Chief McIntire is set to be laid to rest, homes in Natrona Heights are lit in blue along the procession route that will travel from the service to the cemetery.

Ribbons and signs were also posted along Freeport Road.

With the funeral and burial for Chief Justin McIntire set to take place this afternoon, it's going to be tough to get around parts of the area for several hours.

"Due to the proceedings for Brackenridge Borough Chief of Police Justin McIntire, streets in the city of New Kensington, Boroughs of Tarentum and Brackenridge, and Township of Harrison will be closed for long portions of the day. Please use caution when traveling to these areas and plan your travel accordingly. Traffic is anticipated to back up in certain areas. More roads may close unexpectedly and without warning, depending on the need of the funeral," the Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

The closures will affect both Allegheny and Westmoreland County.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY:

At 8 a.m., the following roads will close to all traffic.

• 7th Street from Constitution Boulevard to Stevenson Boulevard
• Freeport Road from 7th Street to McCargo Street
• Constitution Boulevard from 7th Street to 9th Street
• 8th Street from 5th Avenue to Ridge Avenue
• Ridge Avenue from Constitution Boulevard to Short Street
• Short Street, in its entirety
• Elizabeth Street from Freeport Road to Highland Avenue
• Young Avenue from 7th Street to Elizabeth Street

ALLEGHENY COUNTY:

At approximately 1:30 p.m., the below roads in Allegheny County will close and can close sooner than expected, depending on the need of the funeral:

• Tarentum Bridge Road to the Tarentum Bridge
• First Avenue Ramp on the Tarentum Borough side of the bridge
• First Avenue to Morgan Street Freeport Road to Mount Airy Cemetery (Across from Czekalski Real Estate)
• Morgan Street to Freeport Road
• Freeport Road from McCargo Street to Tarentum Bridge Road  

The tragedy of losing Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire has shaken the borough.

The huge memorial that's grown larger and larger outside the Police Department shows you how important he was to the community.

Now, today, the beloved Chief will be laid to rest.

Chief McIntire was shot and killed in the line of duty last Monday, giving the ultimate sacrifice as he was fulfilling his lifelong dream.

He ran towards danger in an attempt to catch a suspect and keep his community safe when he was ambushed and his call of duty ended.

In a town of just over 3,000 people, everybody knew McIntire, who had more than 20 years of police service.

The late Brackenridge chief's passion for protecting people will live for years to come. Many people have spoken about how much he was loved and appreciated.

Chief McIntire was a husband, father, uncle, and brother. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

The funeral service will begin at Noon today at Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington with the burial immediately following at Mt. Airy Cemetery in Natrona Heights.

American flags and blue ribbons already wave in the wind along Freeport Road in Natrona Heights.

But Kate Bielak expects to see a sea of red, white and blue there this afternoon.

"There are people that grew up and watched Chief McIntire from a little boy turn into a local hero here, so everybody's connected," Bielak said.

Bielak said she did not know Chief Justin McIntire personally, but she knew his family. And as a former military police officer herself and having relatives in law enforcement, she said this tragedy hits close to home.

"Everybody says it's hard to sleep because not only does it disturb the peace you're used to, but you want to do something, you want to help, you want to take everyone's pain," said Bielak.

Bielak created a "Flood Freeport Road" Facebook event encouraging the community to stand along the road from Tarentum to Mount Airy Cemetery where Chief McIntire will be laid to rest.

She said people should arrive around 1:30 p.m. wearing blue and holding American flags.

The funeral starts at noon.

"My vision: as they move the chief's body from the funeral home all the way through to Mount Airy, that we create such a visual of gratitude and of unity, not only for the McIntire family and all of his friends who are going to be in the procession, but for every single police officer that's in that procession," Bielak said.

Bielak said it's important for residents to show their appreciation for police officers who put their lives on the line every day.

"He wasn't scared; he stepped up," said Bielak. "He was protecting us and this entire community owes him a debt of gratitude because he saved all of our lives. He saved our community."

Bielak hopes Chief McIntire and his family know he did not die in vain.

And they'll never forget this hometown hero.

Bielak said she'll continue to put information on the Facebook event page to update everyone. 

A public viewing took place on Monday and Tuesday as people from across the state had the opportunity to pay their respects to McIntire, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for protecting his community.

"There aren't many words to say in a situation like this. What I can tell you is that we're going to be here for you, we're going to stand beside you and we're going to help you into the future," said Shaler Township Police Chief Sean Frank.

Blue lights shined brightly and blue ribbons adorned every corner of the Ross G. Walker Funeral Home in support of McIntire.

"It's a great family and it's certainly a big loss to the community," said family friend Walt Zimmerman. "The community has certainly been very responsive and very supportive and the family is going to need it."

Monday marked one week since McIntire ran toward danger in an attempt to catch a suspect and keep his community safe. He was ambushed that day and his call of duty ended. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

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