LOWER BURRELL, Pa.,None — Thousands of police officers from across the country are expected to gather in Pittsburgh on Monday to honor Officer Derek Kotecki.
Kotecki, 40, was shot and killed outside the Dairy Queen along Greensburg Road in Lower Burrell Wednesday night.
Charlie Post, 33, who was wanted by police, opened fire on Kotecki as he was the first to arrive on the scene, officials said. Post died from gunshot wounds to the head, chest and abdomen during the shootout with police. The coroner is working to determine which of Post's wounds were self-inflicted or inflicted by others.
Kotecki will be laid to rest on Monday, and Pittsburgh Police spokesperson Diane Richards said as many as 1,000 to 3,000 officers from cities including Chicago and Dallas and the state of Florida are expected to make the trip to show their support.
Visitation for Kotecki will be held Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rusiewicz Funeral Home in Lower Burrell.
A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home, followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at Mount St. Peter's Church in New Kensington.
Fire departments in Lower Burrell, New Kensington and Arnold held a boot drive on Friday for the family of fallen Officer Derek Kotecki.
Firefighters collected donations from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at four different locations; on Tarentum Bridge Road, the Ninth Street Bridge in New Kensington, at Parnassus Triangle and at the Valley Highlands High School football game.
The K-9 officer had nearly 18 years on the force. He leaves behind a wife and two children, ages 13 and 9.
The other 16 officers in the Lower Burrell Police Department could be seen wearing "in memory" over their badges on Thursday, and a memorial with flowers and candles has been placed at the entrance of the station.
A memorial has also started to grow outside of the Dairy Queen where Kotecki was killed, and many business owners in the area have changed their signs and marquees to pay tribute to the fallen officer.
"He was a very good police officer," said friend Richard Boucher. "He was a father of two sons. He was a very good man, and he really will be missed throughout the entire community of Lower Burell, New Kensington and Arnold."
The Rev. Harold Mele was with officers Wednesday night as they embraced and consoled each other.
"I was here for four hours last night," said Mele. "They embraced each other. Tearful emotions. Some were angry, some angry at God. God understands those emotions, quite frankly. We did pray together."
Following Kotecki's death, Gov. Tom Corbett has ordered flags in Pennsylvania to be flown at half-staff.
On Friday, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire, a native of Lower Burrell and 1986 graduate of Burrell High School, paid tribute to Kotecki in a speech to the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Lower Burrell will always remember Derek's bravery and valor," Altmire said.
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