LOWER BURRELL, Pa. — Two food banks in Westmoreland County collected nonperishable food to honor three local fallen police officers.
Members of the St. Margaret Mary Food Bank and Westmoreland County Food Bank were joined by volunteers and active and retired police officers to collect food on Saturday.
PHOTOS: Food drive held in Westmoreland County to honor fallen police officers
Terry McClain and Leslie Uncapher Zellers from Allegheny Township organized the event. They said it is designed to replenish the food banks that are hit hard during the holiday season and to pay tribute to fallen officers.
The volunteers gathered at Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell.
The event specifically honors Lower Burrell officer Derek Kotecki, New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw and Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire.
“We recognize the importance of our law enforcement officers who do so much to protect and serve our communities,” they said. “We decided to have the food drive in memory of Officer Derek Kotecki and Officer Brian Shaw to honor them and all our law enforcement officers. We have received the blessing of Chief McIntire’s family to add his name and badge number to the Fallen Officers Food Drive as well.”
Officers and volunteers load the food into a truck, provided by U-Haul, to be transported to its next destination. T-shirts honoring the officers were sold and cash donations were also accepted.
David “Mogie” Magil, the owner of the pub where the event is held, said he hopes the event also strikes a chord with community members.
“The food drive shows that local law enforcement and people who support them care about the community,” Magill said.
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