2,000 mourn Officer Kelly
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Police Officer Cheryl Watson, center, hugs another mourner during visitation for slain Pittsburgh police Officer Eric G. Kelly at White Memorial Chapel in Point Breeze.
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More than 2,000 mourners filed through the White Memorial Chapel in Point Breeze yesterday evening to express their sympathy and show their support for the family of Pittsburgh police Officer Eric G. Kelly, one of three officers shot and killed Saturday in Stanton Heights.
William Scott, one of the funeral directors at the chapel on Thomas Boulevard, said the turnout was "as uncommon as the event itself."
The line, which stretched for blocks along North Homewood Avenue, included friends and neighbors, as well as uniformed law enforcement officers and officials from throughout the region. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Public Safety Director Michael Huss were among those who paid their respects.
"People are very patient," Mr. Scott said. "They're waiting in a long line, and it's cold out here."
Although they were gathered for a solemn time of communal grief, the people in line outside did not try to contain their joy at seeing longtime friends. Laughter rose amid the snow flurries as people who hadn't seen each other in a while hugged and exchanged stories.
"Laughter is good," Mr. Scott said. "It helps us to get through the moment. These people are sad, but they have good memories to share with one another."
Mr. Scott said the members of the Kelly family were "understandably broken up, but the show of support was encouraging. The family was very appreciative."
Among those in line was Jean Lee, 59, who lives on Fairywood Street, near the home of Officer Kelly's mother.
"[Officer Kelly] went to school with my kids," said Ms. Lee, who said she had come to support her neighbor. "Almost all the kids up there [in Fairywood], she helped raise, because she was a director at the recreation center."
Kiley Plum, 23, of Wilkinsburg, said she works with Officer Kelly's daughter at Heartland Health Care Center on Negley Avenue, where the two women are nursing assistants.
"She's very nice, and I can only imagine what kind of man he must have been," Ms. Plum said. "She's very respectful and dedicated to her job. I'm sure he was the same way. He raised her well.
"I can't even imagine what she's going through. He picks her up every morning at work at 7 o'clock in the morning. I believe he was on his way to pick her up this past Saturday when he heard that call. I was off this weekend, so she would have been working.
"I haven't seen her since this happened, but I want her to know that I'm here for her."
Visitation for Officer Paul J. Sciullo II, who also was killed in the ambush, continued last night at Winter Funeral Home in Bloomfield. His Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. today at St. Joseph Church in Bloomfield.
Visitation for Officer Stephen J. Mayhle, the third officer killed, is from noon to 9 p.m. Friday at John A. Lefdahl Funeral Home in Indiana, Pa.
A memorial service for all three officers will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Petersen Events Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland.
First Published April 8, 2009 12:00 am
