Pittsburgh recollects three law enforcement officials 12 years after they died within the Stanton Heights tragedy – WPXI

PITTSBURGH – The City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Police Department had a somber tone on Easter Sunday when they recalled on social media three police officers killed on duty – 12 years ago today.

On April 4, 2009, three Pittsburgh police officers were killed while on duty.

Officers Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo answered a call without question or hesitation, making the ultimate sacrifice that day.

Not to forget. pic.twitter.com/brSQb0lNZA

– Pittsburgh Police Department (@PghPolice) April 4, 2021

City guides usually attend a memorial service each year to honor officials, but COVD-19 coupled with the holiday resulted in only a brief confirmation of what happened that day.

Background to the incident:

On the morning of April 4, 2009, a heavily armed man from Stanton Heights assaulted officers Paul Sciullo II and Stephen Mayhle, who responded to a domestic violence call at his mother’s home and killed both.

Officer Eric Kelly, a Stanton Heights resident who lived on his way home after finishing his shift, heard the 911 call and responded to the scene in which he was shot trying to save Sciullo and Mayhle.

Relatives, police officers and supporters of the three fallen officers gathered at the memorial on Thursday, during which blue carnations were placed on memorials for the men. Bouquets of flowers were given to the officers’ family members.

“It’s always amazing, but just the fact that it was 10 years ago is overwhelming because you relive that day again. Besides that, I’m grateful that you continue to honor all three officers, ”said Jene Meyers, Kelly’s niece.

Sciullo, Mayhle and Kelly were the first police officers to be killed in Pittsburgh in nearly 20 years, and it was the deadliest day for police officers in the city’s history.

Three other officers who responded to the scene that resulted in an hour-long pause were injured.

Richard Poplawski was convicted of the murder of the officer and sentenced to death in 2011.

Sciullo, Mayhle and Kelley were honored in several ways. Plaques in their memory are on the police station of Zone 5. A Bloomfield Park is named after Sciullo, who comes from the neighborhood. A baseball field in Brookline is dedicated to Mayhle. and a field in Stanton Heights bears Kelly’s name.