BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – In the aftermath of the tragic shooting of New Kensington Police Officer Brian Shaw, two Brookville Borough officers gave of their time and abilities to their brothers in blue.
Officers Bo Gallagher, pictured above left, and Justin Miller volunteered to work the 3-11 p.m shift in New Kensington last Saturday during the holiday weekend after a call out for assistance.
Shaw was shot and killed after a traffic stop on Friday, November 17. New Kensington Police later arrested 29-year-old Rahmael Sal Holt, who is believed to be the man who shot Shaw.
Brookville Police Chief Jason Brown alerted his department to the request by New Kensington.
“Bo brought it up, and we both decided to go,” Miller said.
Both officers described the experience as very rewarding.
“After the shooting, their guys were going nonstop to find the person that did it, and they needed a break,” Gallagher said. “They needed some officers that could provide backup to those that were working.”
“It gave their officers time at home with their families, time to rest up.”
Gallagher and Miller were joined by other officers from various departments, including Greensburg, Arnold, Lower Burrell, and Harrison Township.
Their shift began with familiarizing themselves with the city limits, then responding to a domestic incident. There was a call about possible gunfire, but it turned out to be false.
“Their city limits aren’t much bigger than Brookville’s, but their downtown area is a little rough. It has some empty storefronts, and it’s known for its drug activity, but it’s not a terrible place.”
“I’ve worked in (Las) Vegas, and that’s a totally different environment, a lot rougher,” Gallagher said.
Both also conducted some traffic stops with one resulting in an arrest for drugs.
“We’re all brothers in blue as they say, and it was nice to be able to go and offer our help, so they didn’t have to worry about covering all their shifts and backups,” Miller said. “One of the people we stopped for having a headlight out said he even appreciated us coming down to help out.”
Gallagher, who is originally from DuBois, and graduated from Ridgway High School, served his country in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Iraq. He began his law enforcement career in Las Vegas before returning to the area six years as a member of the Brookville Police Department.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Gallagher said.
Miller, who worked on the New Bethlehem Police force before coming to Brookville in 2008, explained that despite the circumstances that led to their volunteering, it was a positive experience.
“It was an honor to be able to serve there and an experience I (will) always remember,” Miller said.
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