On the recordOctober 14, 2011
On Wednesday, October 12, tragedy struck my home town of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. That night, Police Officer Derek Kotecki was shot during an armed confrontation with a wanted criminal. He is believed to be the first Lower Burrell police officer ever to be killed in the line of duty. Patrolman Kotecki was a 1989 graduate of Burrell High School and had been a local police officer for 18 years. At the time of his death, Patrolman Kotecki was Lower Burrell's K-9 officer and a regular and respected face at community events throughout the year. I ask my colleagues to join me in praying for the family he left behind. We hope that his wife, two sons, and his parents know that Lower Burrell will always remember Derek's bravery and valor. He died serving the community he loved, and for that we are forever grateful. ____________________
