Justin McIntire: Community offers condolences after shooting death of Brackenridge police chief

The community is still trying to process the death of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire. 

People who knew him described him as kind, caring and funny. He loved being a police officer and loved Brackenridge, they said.

"He was the best there was," said Tom Kish, the former Brackenridge mayor.

Outside the police department, a memorial to McIntire continues to grow.

"He's going to be hard to replace," Tom Wright of Brackenridge said.

McIntire was shot and killed Monday in the line of duty. Officer Jordan Schrecengost with the Tarentum Police Department was shot in the leg, but he was since been released from the hospital. 

"He's a family cop," Kish said of McIntire. "He knew the kids. He knew the families. He knew the whole town. He loved his job."

Off the job, Kish said McIntire was a devoted husband and father of three.

"He was a hell of a family man," he said. "He loved his kids, his wife. Loved her dearly, spoke of them often. He loved going hunting and fishing with his boys. His daughter, he did a lot with."

McIntire also coached youth football for the Highland Hornets. Dominick Martinka played for him.

"It's so sad," Martinka said. "I feel for his family."

"Anytime you see him, he took that time to ask how you are doing to show he really cared about you," he added. "Just someone who represents everything this community stands for."

Many feel the town will never be the same.

"He was an incredible soul, incredible man," Mayor Lindsay Fraser said. "He was great. It's a devastating heartbreaking day."

The mayor added that funeral arrangements are still being worked out. 

A Brackenridge father says he's lucky to be alive after he disarmed the man police say shot and killed Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire.

"I was standing on the passenger side of the van and that's when the suspect came up the sidewalk, to the side of the van."

Todd Pierce disarmed Aaron Swan on Monday as he approached him in the driveway, demanding the keys to Pierce's work truck.

Pierce said he instantly fought back. He said he didn't know until more than an hour later that the man he encountered allegedly killed the police chief just a few blocks away.

Pierce said he was standing outside with his two sons and working on his truck.

"I happen to be standing right here and when he comes around the corner, he says give me your keys," Pierce said.

Pierce didn't have his keys, saying he never has them on him when he's working on the truck out front for this very reason. He said that's when Swan reached for a gun.

"And I grabbed the barrel of the gun and the butt of the gun and pointed it towards the ground, away from my kids, and yanked it out of his hands," said Pierce.

Within moments, Pierce said two police officers approached his driveway along Morgan Street and Pierce had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

"I see the two cops coming up and I laid down under the front of my truck," he said.

On the ground and keeping his eyes on Swan's legs, Pierce said he watched as Swan jumped into the back of his truck before coming back out with another gun and opening fire on the two officers.

"And between the gunfire of Tarentum and the gentleman, he hit my van several times here and he shattered the back window here," said Pierce.

Bullets sprayed his home, knocked down his security camera and even hit his car parked across the street. Pierce said he still doesn't know what came over him.

"That's what my boys call me superhuman. They never thought I would do that, but when it comes to my family or my kids, definitely," he said.

The other officer shot by Swan, Tarentum Police Officer Jordan Schrechengost, was shot in the leg during the gunfight right in front of Pierce's home.

Swan later died in another shootout with police Monday night in Homewood.

A true display of emotion and appreciation came earlier Tuesday as Brackenridge Police Chief McIntire's body was brought back to the area.

A busy intersection in Tarentum was brought to silence, only broken by the sound of sobbing as a fallen police chief was brought home.

"It always happens to the best people, and he was one of the best," said Steve Thiry of Tarentum.

Escorted by dozens of police cars and fire trucks, Chief Justin McIntire's body was carried by ambulance from Downtown Pittsburgh through Tarentum, where he was received, even saluted, by the people he so proudly served. 

"That's what the people of this community do when something like this happens," said Joe Bonazza of Frazer Township, adding, "It affects everyone."

Outside the department he led since 2018, flowers and flags make up a growing memorial for the small-town chief.

"He was respected by everybody in the community, being an officer and he was a very kind and helpful officer," Thiry said.

His wife Ashley wrote on Facebook that her entire world was gone in the blink of an eye. She and others who knew him say he was a great officer and an even better man.

"He's just someone that you'd want your son to grow up to be like," Thiry said. 

For the man accused of killing the Brackenridge police chief, the criminal justice system had been a revolving door. 

Despite repeated arrests, outstanding warrants and being charged in another homicide, Aaron Swan was on probation when he allegedly killed Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire on Monday.

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Police released more details on what led up to Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire's death during a shootout with a suspect.  

 Aaron Lamont Swan first appeared on law enforcement's radar Sunday night during a traffic stop, but he ran away.

Then Monday morning, he led Harrison Township police on a vehicle chase before dumping the car and running off.

He was later spotted near the border of Brackenridge and Tarentum. He led officers on a foot chase through different neighborhoods where gunfire was exchanged in two separate locations.

Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said McIntire was found on Third Street in the same area he'd reported the chase beginning. Kearns said it's believed McIntire was ambushed.   

"Brackenridge is a small town," Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser said. "We are all childhood friends. We grew up together and we helped raise each other's children."

Tarentum police officer Jordan Schrecengost was also shot in the leg but has since been released from the hospital. 

Swan was eventually killed in Homewood after getting into another shootout with police. Another officer was injured by what Kearns said is believed to be shrapnel to his face and arm.

Kearns said Swan was in possession of five different firearms, at least one of which was reported stolen. 

Fraser said the community is "lost" in their grief and looking for a way forward. 

"He was good. He was kind. He was funny, thoughtful," Fraser said, adding, "These sorts of things didn't happen in Brackenridge. And were just devastated." 

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered flags to half-staff to honor Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire.

Flags on all commonwealth facilities and public buildings and grounds will be lowered to half-staff until sunset on the date of interment, which hasn't been announced yet. 

The governor's office invited all Pennsylvanians to participate in the tribute. 

The police officer injured in the shooting that killed Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire has been released from the hospital. 

Tarentum Police Chief William Vakulick said Officer Jordan Schrecengost, 23, was shot in the leg, but he is now at home recovering from his injuries. 

The Brackenridge community is grieving after Police Chief Justin McIntire died in a shootout with a suspect during a foot chase.

People have been coming to the Brackenridge police station leaving flowers and candles, some even crying as they pay their respects to a man who dedicated his life to keeping them safe.

McIntire served his community for years, working his way up from patrolman to sergeant to chief exactly four years ago.

Monday afternoon, his watch ended tragically when he encountered 28-year-old Aaron Lamont Swan. Swan was eventually killed in another shootout with police in Homewood following a foot chase.

Word of the shootings and McIntire's death has rocked the small community. Brackenridge resident Danielle Vardis called it "heartbreaking."

"I woke up this morning and it hit me really hard," Vardis said. "This is a very small community, lived here my whole life, parents live here. It actually happened right behind my home."

Mayor Ed Gainey took to Twitter in response to the passing of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire. 

The police officer injured in the shooting that killed Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire works for the Tarentum Borough Police Department.

Officer Jordan Schrecengost, 23, suffered a wound to this leg, the Tarentum police chief said. He is still being treated at a local hospital, but is "doing fine."

Officer Schrecengost has been on the job for three years.

The department has posted a tribute to Chief McIntire on their Facebook page.

Law enforcement officers from around the area are sending their condolences to Brackenridge police and Chief McIntire's family. The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office and state police sent out messages on Tuesday morning.

Bishop David Zubik on Tuesday released a statement regarding the death of Chief McIntire.

"In this very young new year, violence has already had a sobering impact on our hopes for greater peace in 2023. 

The tragic death of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntyre and the wounding of his fellow officer remind us of the dedication of law enforcement who put their lives on the line to provide for our safety. Our prayers go out to the members of the McIntyre family, to the members of the Brackenridge police force and to the family of the injured officer. 

May God give comfort to us all."

Early Tuesday morning, a community member dropped off a cross at the Brackenridge Police Department. 

The community member told KDKA's Jessica Guay that he's giving it to the police department to keep.

The school district says that the school district will utilize remote learning due to the tragic events that took place in Brackenridge on Monday. 

The Beaver County Emergency Services group is among those offering condolences.

"This is a reminder of the dangers our public safety personnel face each day while protecting our communities," they said on social media.

By: KDKA-TV's Lauren Linder

Monday was a sad day in Brackenridge. 

The community is mourning Police Chief Justin McIntire, who was shot and killed by Aaron Lamont Swan on Monday in the borough, authorities said. Another officer was injured in the shootout and taken to a local hospital. 

Members of law enforcement from across Allegheny County paid their respects to McIntire as the medical examiner transported his body away from the scene.

"I started breaking down myself," said Ryan Barr, who lives in Brackenridge and knew the chief. "It was tough to hear."

Barr graduated school with McIntire's son and the chief was his football coach for a few years.

"I've known his son since I was 5," Barr said. "We've been really good friends, family friends for years."

McIntire, 46, became the chief of Brackenridge in 2018 after working his way up the ladder. Barr and others in the borough said he lived his life serving others.

"He's been a great name in the community for a long time," Barr said. "He's done a lot of great things and kept this place safe for so many years."

He spent time with the kids in the neighborhood and got to know the people living in the area. It seems everyone had some connection to McIntire.

And now after Monday's tragic events, they'll pay it forward and do all they can for his family and coworkers. 

"We'll pull through and everybody will be all right," Barr said. 

Senator-elect John Fetterman said the news of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire's death is "tragic."

"This is absolutely tragic," Fetterman said on Twitter. 'Police Chief McIntire made the ultimate sacrifice to keep his community safe. Gisele and I are keeping him and his family in our thoughts tonight.

The Kittanning Police Department said Chief Justin McIntire made "the ultimate sacrifice."

"Our thoughts and prayers go to the Brackenridge Police Department. Two officers were shot in the line of duty, one of them making the ultimate sacrifice for his community," the department's Facebook page said in a post. 

After Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire was killed in the line of duty on Monday, local police departments expressed grief over his death.

"Our hearts go out to those whose lives have been forever changed by what happened today and we stand with law enforcement from throughout Allegheny County and across western Pennsylvania in support of the family, friends and colleagues who are grieving their loss," the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter.

The Carnegie Police Department said on Facebook that its "thoughts and prayers are with Brackenridge Police and their families."

The Nether Providence Police Department in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, said it is also keeping Brackenridge community in its prayers.

A procession was held Monday night for Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed earlier in the day after being shot by a suspect. 

Chris Deluzio, who was elected in November to the U.S. House, said on Twitter that his "thoughts are with the fallen and injured officers, their families, and their fellow officers tonight in Brackenridge. Just heartbreaking news."

Multiple volunteer fire departments are mourning Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire.

"Our prayers go out to our brothers in blue," the Rostraver Township Volunteer Fire Department said on Facebook.

"Our hearts go out to Brackenridge PD and the community after a situation that occurred tonight. We pray for the officer's family and friends during this hard time," the Kennedy Township Independent Volunteer Fire Company said on Facebook.

State Rep. Arvind Venkat offered his condolences in the shooting death of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire.

"My deepest condolences to the family of Chief McIntire, the Brackenridge police, & the entire Brackenridge community. Our police every day protect our communities, often in the face of great danger, and deserve our gratitude."

The Port Authority Police Twitter account reacted to the shooting death of Chief Justin McIntire. 

Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro tweeted condolences to the Brackenridge community after Police Chief Justin McIntire was killed in a shootout with a suspect.

"Today's tragedy in Brackenridge is a devastating reminder of the bravery of those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. Police Chief Justin McIntire ran towards danger to keep Pennsylvanians safe — and he made the ultimate sacrifice in service to community.

"Chief McIntire and his family are in my prayers, as is his fellow officer who was injured in the line of duty tonight. May Chief McIntire's memory be a blessing."

Lt. Gov-elect Austin Davis also shared his condolences, saying Monday is a "hearbreaking reminder of the dangers our law enforcement face in communities like Brackenridge all across our Commonwealth."

"I'm praying for the family of Police Chief Justin McIntire, who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community, and all of the law enforcement who protect and serve the public every single day," he added."