Mourners line up to pay respects to Brackenridge Chief Justin McIntire

George Uhler boarded a yellow school bus at Valley High School mid-Monday, headed to pay his respects to fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire.

“It’s hard to understand life,” said Uhler of New Kensington. “But you have to honor someone that gave his life for us.”

McIntire was gunned down Jan. 2 along Third Avenue during the police pursuit of an armed suspect.

Uhler didn’t know McIntire, a Highlands grad and 22-year police veteran, but said he was compelled to mourn with the community.

He was among thousands expected to honor McIntire during calling hours from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Ross G. Walker Funeral Home, a few miles away on Freeport Road. A Mass is scheduled for noon Wednesday at Mount St. Peter Church, followed by a procession through New Kensington, Tarentum and Harrison to McIntire’s private burial in Mt. Airy Cemetery.

It wasn’t lost on Uhler that Monday’s viewing coincided with National Law Enforcement Day.

“I’ve known many of the officers across the Valley,” he said. “We need to thank them every day, not just when something like this happens.”

Before the doors of the funeral home were open, hundreds of mourners lined the street, which was closed to accommodate the steady stream of visitors. Two Honor Guard officers from the Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections flanked the entrance.

A Brackenridge police SUV, adorned with a blue wreath, sat in the driveway.

A contingent from borough council met in the parking lot and walked in together to say goodbye to their chief, as did the Brackenridge public works crew.

Family friend Laura Negley choked back tears after her visit. She knew the chief for decades, having babysat him when he was a young boy.

“He was just a nice guy,” Negley said. “He wasn’t all about himself.”

For blocks in every direction, police from across the region walked in groups and greeted each other on the way to the funeral home. They included officers from Harmar, Allegheny County, Penn Hills, Springdale and Pittsburgh.

Vicki Suyansky of Leechburg stood outside and took in the scene, calling it “all a senseless shame.”

She planned to attend the procession Wednesday, saying it was a proper way to bid farewell to McIntire.

Ruth Kalinski of Upper Burrell recalled attending the visitation and funeral procession in 2017 for slain New Kensington Officer Brian Shaw.

She would do the same for McIntire.

“I didn’t know him, but I want to tell the family that I’m sorry,” Kalinski said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

At dusk, Walker’s was lit up in blue lights, as were many homes and yards in nearby communities. Flags lined Freeport Road in Brackenridge and Harrison, and blue ribbons dotted a multitude of utility poles.

Jeff Raney of Natrona said his son played soccer with McIntire’s three younger brothers. As he waited for a shuttle at Valley, Raney said he hoped the outpouring of visitors would offer comfort to the family. Having recently lost his wife, Raney said, “I know what grief feels like.”

“I just want them to know people are here for them,” he said.