Remembering Lower Burrell Officer Derek Kotecki
Kotecki was killed Wednesday night in the line of duty near the Plum/New Kensington border. Post your condolences and prayers for Kotecki's family and friends after this tragic loss.
Lower Burrell officer Derek Kotecki, 40, was shot and killed Wednesday night after an incident at a Dairy Queen on Greensburg Road, near the Plum/New Kensington border.
Kotecki was an 18-year veteran with the Lower Burrell Police Department. Most recently, he was the department's K-9 officer who worked with canine, Odin.
Kotecki was shot and killed by Charles Post, 33, of Lower Burrell, who then was killed. For more information about the incident, see this article in the Valley News Dispatch.
Kotecki was survived by a wife and two children.
This happened very close to home, and Patch wanted to give the community a chance to post condolences and prayers for Kotecki's family and friends.
Feel free to show support or share memories in the comments section.
A Facebook group also has been created for people who wish to send their good thoughts.
Lisa
2:01 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Our hearts are heavy knowing the suffering the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Kotecki are going through. God be with his wife & children and all who knew and loved him. Thank you for your service Officer Kotecki...we won't forget <3 RIP
Heidi Dezayas
3:19 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thank you for your comment, Lisa. The jobs of police officers often are taken for granted. This incident happened way too close to home. We lost Officer Kotecki last night and Penn Hills' Officer Crawshaw in late 2009. It's a dangerous job.
Sending prayers to Kotecki's family and friends.
Tina Fluent
7:28 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Being the wife of an officer I held my breath as I listened to this incident evolve last night knowing that my husband would also be responding to offer assistance on this call. Unfortunately the assistance arrived too late. My deepest sympathy goes out to Derek's fellow officers, his canine partner, family, and friends in this trying time. Paramedic Tina Fluent (wife of officer Eric Fluent Plum Police Department)
Heidi Dezayas
7:55 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tina, thank you for your post. I also would like to thank you and your husband for your service to the community!
joe supak
3:59 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
I understand how Derek's family feels its hard to lose somebody that's really close to you I have had the same thing happen to me as well I lost my brother 2 years ago in the line of duty its hard to lose a family member I knew kotecki a little I had problems in my life where I was getting into trouble with the law and Derek was there to talk to me and tell me how fix myself and it work. Thanks to him I love that man he was a good friend and a great officer. God bless to the KOTECKI FAMILY MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU AND ALL OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE.