Lower Burrell Fallen Officer Derek Kotecki is Honored Locally

Plum native Stacey Dorovenis and her young daughter, Adrianna, have started a memorial for fallen Lower Burrell police officer Derek Kotecki.

Kotecki, 40, was shot and killed Wednesday night after an incident at a Dairy Queen on Greensburg Road, near the Plum/New Kensington border. Charles Post, 33, of Lower Burrell, shot Kotecki and then was killed himself.

During this rainy Thursday afternoon, the Dairy Queen was closed, empty and quiet. Dorovenis, a Plum native and New Kensington resident, and Adrianna left a candle and a dog stuffed animal to pay a tribute to the officer's memory—Kotecki was a K-9 police officer.

Dorovenis, a former New Kensington EMT, said she met Kotecki twice—once during an internship in New Kensington and the other during an incident in Lower Burrell. She said she is planning to host a fundraiser in his memory.

"These men and women in blue risk their lives every day so you can be safe at night," she said. "I live in New Kensington were shootings are a regular-day occurrence. (Officers) put their lives on the line every day when they put their uniforms on. Most on the time they don't get a 'thank you.'"

Oakmont police Chief David DiSanti met with other local chiefs on Thursday. He said it's a sad day in the community.

DiSanti, who serves as chaplain for the police chief association, said the group said a prayer for Kotecki and his family.

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, Benny.

Kotecki was survived by a wife and two children.

"His sons, wife and his poilce dog lost a great man," Dorovenis said. "The comunity lost a hero."

A memorial also has been started at the Lower Burrell Police Department.

The on Plum-Oakmont Patch. A Facebook page in his honor also has been created.