Shot Pittsburgh Police Officer Was Involved in Two Significant Local Incidents

Pittsburgh police Officer Andrew Baker almost was run over in Verona last month, and he was honored for his work during the 2011 Washington Boulevard flood.

A Pittsburgh police officer who was shot Friday morning almost was run over in Verona last month, and he assisted during the 2011 Washington Boulevard flash flood that killed four locals. According to police, Officer Andrew Baker was responding to a domestic in Stanton Heights when he was shot in the chest. Baker was not seriously injured by the gunfire because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, this is Baker's fourth incident this year in which he narrowly escapes serious injury. In September, Baker almost was run over on the Verona hilltop—around Third Street. Police had cornered Melvin Taylor Solomon, 41, in a one-way alley after a chase that began in Point Breeze, when Solomon put his vehicle …

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Three to Stand Trial in Connection to Death of Lower Burrell Officer

Some incidents that led to the death of Officer Derek Kotecki occurred in Plum.

Seven Charged in Connection with Lower Burrell Officer Kotecki's Death

A chain of illegal activity—some occurring in Plum Borough—ultimately ended up in the shooting of Kotecki last October.

Detectives from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's office have charged seven people in connection to the death of Lower Burrel police officer Derek Kotecki. Kotecki, 40, was shot to death last October by Charles Post at the Dairy Queen on Greensburg Road—at the Plum/New Kensington border. Post had been on the run from police for about 10 days after shooting at his former boss and threatening to kill police. Charles Post also was killed at the scene. Charles Post's brother, Chad Post, 35; Amanda Christyn Walters, 23; and Nicole Martha Walters, 37, all of Lower Burrell, have been charged with two counts of hindering apprehension and two counts of conspiracy for helping Charles Post, hide from the police in between the time he shot …

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Applebee’s Helps Raise Funds for Slain Officer’s Family

Want to help a fallen officer’s family but don’t know how? Here's an easy, and delicious, way to do so!

Stop by your favorite Applebee’s on Monday, Dec. 5, to enjoy a great meal and contribute to a great cause. Twenty Applebee’s restaurants in the greater Pittsburgh region have teamed up with theWestern Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation (WPPBF) and the Officer Derek Kotecki Benefit Committee to raise funds for the Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Fund. The fund benefits the family of Lower Burrell Police Officer Derek Kotecki, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Oct. 12, when he and his K-9 partner, Odin, were pursuing murder suspect and fugitive Charlie Post. The 18-year veteran left behind a wife and two young sons, as well as many friends and colleagues. Luckily, a valuable resource was able to swiftly come to their aid. …

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Oakmont Dentists to Raise Money for Fallen Officer's Family

Tickets are on sale for the "Smiles for Kotecki" fundraiser.

Dentists Dr. Todd Resek and Dr. Howard Nader of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Oakmont are hosting a Tooth Whitening Fundraiser in honor of Officer Derek Kotecki, a Lower Burrell police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty last month. Kotecki served with the Lower Burrell Police Department for 18 years and most recently was the departments K-9 Officer. He is survived by his wife and two young sons. Resek's brother and Nader's son played high school basketball against Kotecki in the late '80s. The dental office will be raffling off two Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening along with Custom fitted Whitening Trays. ($700 value each). Tickets can be bought at the office for: Two names will be drawn on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 3:30pm. Those…

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Verona Council Notebook: October Work Session

Here's a roundup of what Verona Borough officials addressed at their October work session.

Verona to host Raider Bonfire It’s Verona’s turn to host the Raider Bonfire and the borough is primed for some Riverview pride. The event offers food, drinks and entertainment and will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Verona’s municipal park along East Railroad Avenue. Among the food and beverages offered are caramel apples and hot chocolate. Daily Juice juice barrels (Huggies) will be provided, compliments of Verona Council and the Verona Chamber of Commerce. Entertainment will be provided by Riverview’s cheerleaders and band. The Raider Man will also make a special appearance. This year, for the first time, a Riverview High School class—Patsy Kvortek’s Sports and Entertainment Management class—is running the show, borough …

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Shirts for Sale to Honor Slain Officer

All proceeds from the T-shirts will go to the family of Lower Burrell police Officer Derek Kotecki.

A Bridgeville company is producing thousands of T-shirts to memorialize the slain Lower Burrell police officer and raise money for his family. Workers at X-Deco spent the past few days printing more than 7,000 shirts to benefit the Derek Kotecki Memorial T-Shirt Fund and will continue to roll more off the presses. Derek Kotecki, a K-9 officer in Lower Burrell, was shot to death on Oct. 12 near the New Kensington/Plum border as he attempted to arrest a wanted man. All of the proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the fund, and some of the workers have volunteered their time so more money goes to the family. “We like helping them out,” said Perry Smith, a Bridgeville resident, as he placed shirts on a drying conveyor belt. “I have a few…

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PatchCast: Memorializing Officer, Borough 'Harassment' & Paranormal Activity

A roundup of the region's top stories for Thursday, Oct. 20.

Here are today's top stories from Patch sites in your area: Bridgeville Factory Prints Shirts to Honor Slain Officer Owner of Fred's Tree & Lawn Service Feels Harassed Township Seeks Live Tree Donation for Lighting Ceremony Oakmont Paranormal Society, Library Team Up for Mysteries Tour USC Ties With Peters in 'Pink Out' Game

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Lower Burrell Fallen Officer Derek Kotecki Laid to Rest

Kotecki's funeral was held Monday.

Thousands honored Lower Burrell fallen police Officer Derek Kotecki Monday during his funeral. On Oct. 12, Kotecki, 40, was killed in the line of duty. The 18-year veteran was shot when he and his K-9 partner, Odin, exited their squad car in the Dairy Queen parking lot along Greensburg Road (on the New Kensington/Plum border), where Kotecki had been dispatched to apprehend wanted man Charlie Post. Post, 33, of Lower Burrell, shot Kotecki and then was killed himself. His funeral was held at Mount Saint Peter Church in New Kensington. Police officers from neighboring communities lined the streets as Kotecki's bosy arrived in a horse-drawn carriage. Plum native Stacey Dorovenis, a New Kensington resident, took pictures of the funeral. …

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