The funeral for fallen Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire was held at Mount Saint Peter Church in New Kensington Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of Police officers from around the Pittsburgh area and country stood in silence waiting for the body of McIntire to proceed from the Walker Funeral home the short distance to the church in a horse-drawn hearse.
Police from Dallas, New York City, Florida, Virginia and the Carolinas were just some of the departments that came out to show support for McIntire and his family and friends.
McIntire was fatally shot on January 2 pursuing a suspect that was wanted for a parole violation.
The suspect, identified as Aaron Swan, reportedly ambushed McIntire fatally shooting him in the head.
During the funeral, family shared stories of the kind of man, father and husband that McIntire was.
Allegheny County Police Chief Mike Vogel was one of the hundreds of police who stood outside to honor Chief McIntire says he and many other are still in a state of shock.
“I don’t think you can ever get used to something this horrific,” said Vogel. “With this family, what this community has to endure, words can’t describe the pain and suffering that has to follow after today.”
One woman, Debra Hanna, who was watching the procession from a hill near the church with her grandson says she wanted to be there to support police officers.
‘I think [police] are unappreciated for the work that they do and they give their life for saving and helping us, keeping us safe and I’m sorry that this has to happen,” said Hanna.
Volunteers from the Light of Life were also on hand to offer free food and drinks to everyone in outside.
McIntire was buried at Mt. Airy Cemetery in Natrona Heights.
He is survived by his wife Ashley and children Alex, Brennin, Jordan and Justin Jr.