Officers across the country and community members mourn Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) - Hundreds of law enforcement officers came to New Kensington to mourn fallen Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire at a service while thousands of residents lined Freeport Road for the procession.
The officers came from across the state and the country, some coming from as far away as Texas.
"It's a somber and humbling experience," said Ian Moore, a Pittsburgh native and Bay Village, Ohio officer.
Moore was one of hundreds of officers attending McIntire's funeral, and one of the many from out of state.
"Chief McIntire was my brother," Moore said. "I never met him, but we're family."
Officer Alexandra Arthurs was with a group of officers from West Virginia. They didn't have to be there but said they wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
"We want to support each other in the good times, the bad times and the really bad times like this," Arthurs said.
Police cars were parked all over New Kensington for the service.
Police officers said it's something they need to do and it gives them an opportunity to see one another. One officer called it the saddest type of family reunion there could be.
It gives officers a chance to mourn one of their own, whether or not they were part of their department.
"It's the least I can do for as much as the family has sacrificed the last couple of days," Moore said.
After the service, slowly, and in a sea of blue, McIntire made his way to his final resting place. The outpouring of supporters lining the route brought people in the procession to tears.
"My brother grew up with Justin playing football, my dad coached Justin playing football, so everyone knows the McIntire family," said childhood friend Amy Nulph.
Nulph wanted her daughters Isabella and Anabelle to see the funeral procession. Even if they don't fully understand the gravity of the situation, they still wanted to show support.
"She kept saying we need to go out and wave our flag and say goodbye," Nulph said.
First responders came from all over the state and the country. Allegheny Valley Fire Company Chief Kevin Funkhouser packed 10 guys into three units and set up at an intersection along the route.
"I don't know how many fire companies and emergency responders are here, but I would probably say upwards over 100," said Funkhouser.
Archie Nyga sat quietly with a flag taped to his wheelchair. He tells KDKA-TV McIntire was a "helper."
"He seems like he wanted to help everyone he could," he said.
That's why Nyga asked his caretaker to bring him out to Freeport Road to say goodbye.
"To let him know he's loved," said Nyga.
Supporters flooded Freeport Road in blue signs and flags and some people even decked out their homes in blue.
"My brother-in-law made all these bows, lights around the front door with a police wreath," said Cassie Gillette, a Natrona Heights resident.
Gillette tells KDKA her husband is a police officer participating in the funeral service. This past week has been very tough for her mentally.
"Very angering as well that this happened, and one individual came into our town and did irreversible damage to it," she said.
That's why she's paying her respects, holding her 10-month-old son tight, and hoping for change.
"I really hope that this never happens again in any community anywhere and I hope this will be the change that we need to see," said Gillette.
