Out-of-town officers give New Kensington cops time to grieve
As the New Kensington police department mourns the loss of one of its own, Chief Jim Klein assured residents that their police services would not stop.
Officers from across Western Pennsylvania have been helping keep that promise, coming in to assist with the day-to-day business of police work that doesn't stop for grief.
“I'll stay as long as they need me,” said Amber Noel, a patrol officer from Ligonier Borough, who was volunteering in New Kensington on Sunday, her day off. “It's an honor to help them.”
No one could say exactly how many officers or how many departments were helping New Kensington in the wake of the killing of Officer Brian Shaw, who died after being shot during a traffic stop on Leishman Avenue on Friday night.
A manhunt continued Sunday for the shooter, identified as Rahmael Sal Holt, 29, whose last known address was along Vine Street in the Natrona section of Harrison. A warrant had been issued for his arrest. He's considered armed and dangerous.
In the wake of the incident, officers were saying the city was quieter than usual. But there were still things to deal with — like a burglar alarm, or a downed tree, said Washington Township police Chief Scott Slagle.
When the call went out looking for help filling New Kensington's shifts, Slagle put the word out to his dozen officers. Just about all of them stepped up.
Slagle said his officers started on the midnight shift into Sunday morning. He came in at 7 a.m. Sunday.
While they could get paid, “No one even asked,” Slagle said. “We haven't discussed that.”
New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said the out-of-town officers were giving Shaw's comrades the ability to grieve.
“The outpouring of support from the officers from all over Western Pennsylvania has been extraordinary,” he said. “We could not be doing this without them.”
Ohio Township police Officer Kevin Boyd said he'd be relying on “caffeine and good chow” to get him through a shift in his own municipality after working a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift in New Kensington.
Boyd said his chief called him last night and asked if he could help out.
“They needed guys,” he said. “I couldn't pass that up.”
Boyd said a constable helped him find his way around the city's unfamiliar streets. “It's a bad situation. It's tough for everybody,” he said. “Everyone's here to pitch in.”
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4701, brittmeyer@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCRittmeyer.
