Lee McIntire recalled the final conversation he had with his son, Justin McIntire, just two days before he was killed in the line of duty.
“Our last words to each other were, ‘I love you,’ ” the father said at a memorial service outside the Brackenridge Borough Building on Thursday evening.
McIntire, 46, was gunned down during a manhunt in the borough Jan. 2, 2023.
About 100 people showed up in freezing temperatures to support the family and show their respect for the fallen chief on the second anniversary of his death.
The father talked about how December went from the most joyous to the hardest time of the year for the family, and how grateful they all are for the community keeping Justin’s memory alive.
“We were always together during the Christmas holiday,” Lee McIntire said. “Dec. 27 is his birthday. Dec. 31 (2022) was the last time I spoke to him and he spoke to me. … Justin, I want you to know all these people here support you. You’re never forgotten. You’re always loved. You’re always in our heart.
“To all first responders: Thank you for your service.”
Lori McIntire, Justin’s mother, held back tears while thanking those who attended for coming out. Some of them held blue electric candles, an illumination synonymous with police admiration and remembrance.
“It’s hard to talk about him, but our family appreciated all your love and prayers,” Lori McIntire said. She also wished the crowd love, peace and happiness with the new year.
Justin’s stepmother, Erin McIntire, echoed those sentiments after the service.
“It rips the wound open again, but it’s still awesome to see friends and family and see the whole community support here,” she said.
A poster with Justin McIntire’s badge and number, 1524, was displayed behind the memorial speakers, who included Mayor Lindsay Fraser, family friend and former Highlands School Board president Debbie Beale and retired Brackenridge police Chief Jamie Bock.
Bock retired in June 2018 after more than 40 years of service. McIntire served as officer in charge shortly thereafter and was sworn in as chief in January 2019.
“I can’t even put into words how great a man Justin was,” Bock said. “There’s not a day that don’t go by that I don’t think of Justin. I worked with him for all those years, and he will never be forgotten. As long as we talk about him, he will always be here.”
Bock encouraged people to pray for first responders.
“They run toward danger when everybody else runs away,” Bock said.
Beale thanked the McIntire family for raising a selfless man like Justin. He said he should always be remembered as someone who looked out for others.
“This is a very somber night but also a night of reflection,” Beale said. “Actions do speak louder than words. Their children are living proof of what works. I’m also here tonight to honor them at doing their job as parents. They need to be honored as well. We should all be grateful for that.”
The mayor said the memorial service is another example of how Brackenridge comes together, much like it did shortly after the tragedy.
“In many ways, everything is different, but in other ways things are as they have been,” Fraser said. “In the days and months that followed (Justin’s loss), this community came together to support each other. That is a strength and a gift that I believe is unique to this place.
“That following tragedy, we show resilience. The ability to bounce back, to get up and to show up for each other. … This was the nature of (Justin’s) life of service and his dedication to this community.”
The Rev. Darryl Johnson of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in New Kensington closed the service in prayer.
