New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw, who was fatally shot Friday night, had served as a part-time officer in three other towns before joining the New Kensington police force full time in June.
Officer Shaw, 25, graduated from Burrell High School in 2010. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/law enforcement administration from Slippery Rock University in 2015 and attended the Allegheny County Police Training Academy in 2014, according to his social media accounts.
In high school, he played soccer and was a kicker on the Slippery Rock football team.
Shawn Lutz, who was Slippery Rock’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator, said Officer Shaw was a part of two championship teams in 2011 and 2013, and described him as a “quality, intense competitor who was very athletic and well liked by his peers.”
“He always talked about giving something back and being on the police force,” Mr. Lutz said. “Things work in crazy ways, but it happened in his hometown. I know he’s so proud of where he came from, and that he loved his family ... Words can’t describe how big of a loss this is to us, his community, and his family.”
Thad Madzelonka, the slain officer’s freshman roommate in college, said Officer Shaw was interested in pursuing a career as a police officer because his brother was in the criminal justice system and because some of his club soccer teammates had chosen the major.
He described Officer Shaw as lighthearted, but disciplined.
“You could always depend on him to not only be there to support you and have your back, but he was definitely always a leader,” Mr. Madzelonka said.
“He was just a great guy,” said 26-year-old Mike Ferraco, who played club soccer with Officer Shaw for more than a decade. “He was always happy. He was a fierce competitor, but he put it in a positive light ... He always gave 100 percent. I’m sure as an officer, he was the same way.”
As an intense search continued for a suspect in the officer’s shooting, a procession of dozens of emergency vehicles brought Officer Shaw’s body to Rusiewicz Funeral Home in Lower Burrell on Saturday afternoon.
Hundreds of local residents lined the streets in front of the funeral home, many holding American flags. As the police lights leading the procession came into view, many people began weeping or attempted to hold back tears.
The procession turned off Leechburg Road and one by one emergency vehicles entered the funeral home parking lot.
Onlookers stood in silence in the drizzle as they watched police officers from multiple departments enter the funeral home. Officer Shaw’s parents, Lisa and Stephan, entered the funeral home after receiving hugs from several friends.
Brandon Schaber, 27, said he was best friends with Officer Shaw since childhood. He said they would often play sports and video games together.
“We were inseparable,” Mr. Schaber said outside the funeral home. “Kid had a heart of gold. Made everybody laugh.”
Mr. Schaber said Officer Shaw became a police officer because he wanted to help people.
The hours since his friend was shot, Mr. Schaber said, have “been hell.”
Mr. Schaber hugged Officer Shaw’s parents before they enter the funeral home. He said he told the Shaws, “I love you. I wish Brian was here.”
“They’re just glad we’re all here,” Mr. Schaber said of the Shaws. “That’s what’s keeping them going.”
Meanwhile, back on Leishman Avenue state police and county detectives returned to the crime scene about 1:30 p.m.
There was little evidence of the action the night before on the street aside from the officers. Bits of police tape were left hanging on fences. A bouquet of red roses marked the spot where Officer Shaw’s died, just inside the City Reach Church New Kensington parking lot.
The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. Friday in New Kensington. Officer Shaw was shot after a traffic stop involving an SUV led to him chasing someone on foot, authorities said.
Leishman Avenue residents recalled hearing the situation play out Saturday night, but some of them said it was too dark to see much.
Eric Thompson, 39, who lives on the street, said he was sitting by the window in his living room when he heard who he believes was Officer Shaw giving commands to the person who shot him.
“There was a lot of yelling,” Mr. Thompson said. “I think it was more of the officer telling the occupants … put down your gun or whatever [officers] say.”
After the yelling, Mr. Thompson said he heard multiple gunshots.
Jerry Baer, 67, who lives just across the street from where the shooting occurred, said he tried calling 911 after hearing the gunshots. No one had answered the phone by the sixth or seventh ring, Mr. Baer said, but by then police had already arrived at the scene.
“They were here real quick,” he said.
Mr. Baer said he heard the first responders trying to keep Officer Shaw conscious. He said the officers kept saying “stay with me, Brian.”
Bradd LaRocca, 40, who also lives across the street from the scene, said he heard at least five shots in rapid succession. Then he heard Officer Shaw moaning.
Mr. LaRocca said he ran to Officer Shaw before the first responders arrived to see what he could do.
“There wasn’t really much I could do,” Mr. LaRocca said. “I ran over there to see what was going on. I heard gurgling.”
Mr. LaRocca said he knelt by the officer and tried to comfort him. “I said ‘Just relax, buddy. They’re coming to get you.’” He said Officer Shaw was not able to respond to him.
When officers arrived, Mr. LaRocca moved out of the way but continued to watch what was happening.
“They rolled him over and looked for wounds,” Mr. LaRocca said. “They said, ‘Brian, hang on,’ and he just slipped away.”
Police later recovered an older model of an unoccupied brown Jeep Grand Cherokee, wanted in connection with the shooting.
Police officers from neighboring towns scoured the area for the suspect early Saturday. SWAT teams and police dogs assisted.
At a late afternoon press conference, New Kensington police Chief Jim Klein said Officer Shaw was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was fatally shot.
Earlier in the day at a noon press conference, State Police Trooper Stephen Limani would not provide details of the shooting investigation.
Trooper Limani said police continue to investigate leads, and he asked the public to come forward with any information they might have about the gunman. Westmoreland County detectives and the New Kensington police are leading the investigation.
The body of Officer Shaw was underwent an autopsy Saturday morning at a forensic lab in Greensburg, Trooper Limani said, before a police procession followed the body to the funeral home in Lower Burrell.
Trooper Limani did not know Officer Shaw, but from listening to the New Kensington officers, the trooper said the rookie officer “was obviously a very special person.”
“[I was] standing there listening to the New Kensington officers share stories about how he ... brought smiles and entertainment and humor and wit to their lives,” Trooper Limani said.
State police were covering shifts for the New Kensington police as they grieved and continued to search for a suspect Saturday.
“There is a task at hand right now, and that task is finding the person who killed their fellow officer,” Trooper Limani said. “They are committed to that task, focused on that task.”
“Our hearts are heavy today as we grieve the loss of Brian Shaw. He is a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Les Neri Saturday morning in a statement. “We’ll forever honor his bravery and dedication. We join with the entire New Kensington community in mourning the loss of Patrolman Shaw.”
There is a $40,000 reward for information that leads to the gunman’s arrest — $25,000 from the FBI, $10,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and $5,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the New Kensington police and all who mourn the loss of Officer Brian Shaw. #EOW pic.twitter.com/xnVj2xM25E
— Pittsburgh Police (@PghPolice) November 18, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Brian Shaw and the entire New Kensington Police Department. So sad. RIP.
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) November 18, 2017
Today, we mourn the loss of Patrolman Brian Shaw, who lost his life after being shot in New Kensington Friday evening. I’m praying for him and his family. Thank you to all who serve & sacrifice on our behalf. https://t.co/RFFLrpVNY7
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) November 18, 2017
We are again deeply saddened by the loss of another officer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer’s family and friends and the New Kensington Police Department. Lest We Forget. #EOW #LODD
— FBI Pittsburgh (@FBIPittsburgh) November 18, 2017
Deepest condolences to the New Kensington Police Department and the brave officer who lost his life tonight. Our thoughts are with you. pic.twitter.com/p9GmXHVlPk
— Pgh Police Zone 5 (@PghZone5) November 18, 2017
Correction, posted Nov. 18, 2017: In an earlier version of this story, the first name of Stephan Shaw was spelled incorrectly.
First Published: November 18, 2017, 4:59 p.m.
Updated: November 19, 2017, 1:49 a.m.