Fundraisers picking up traction for slain police chief
A few legitimate fundraisers are gaining traction to benefit the family of Justin McIntire, the chief of the Brackenridge Police Department who was shot and killed while on duty Monday night.
The Tarentum Borough Police Department is selling T-shirts that will benefit the McIntire family, which includes his wife, Ashley and children, Jordan, Alexis, Brennin and Justin Jr.
On Wednesday, a GoFundMe page for McIntire was identified as fake by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office. Posts made by the sheriff’s office on Facebook and Twitter warned the public to be aware that the page, created by a Michael McIntire, has no connection to McIntire or his family.
McIntire had been chief of the department in the Allegheny County borough since 2019 and was shot while pursuing suspect Aaron Lamont Swan Jr., 28, of Duquesne. Swan was wanted on a probation violating involving weapons.
Additionally, a Tarentum police officer was shot in the leg, but is expected to survive.
Swan was shot and killed during the incident.
The Tarentum police department’s Facebook page also promoted an online fundraiser for the McIntire family, which is being hosted on fundthefirst.com.
The page was created Wednesday, and by 1:40 p.m. Thursday had raised $15,608 of its $50,000 goal.
“He was an incredible husband, father and friend to many,” the page says. “Justin gave his life protecting the community, now it’s our turn to give back to his family.”