Live music and a new T-shirt commemorating police Officers Derek Kotecki and Brian Shaw will highlight Back the Blue III Saturday at Mogie’s Irish Pub and Magill’s Grill in Lower Burrell.
About 400 to 500 people are expected for the fundraiser from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. that benefits police departments in New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell as well as the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
This is the third annual fundraiser that helps local police department pay for extra or unexpected expenses, said Dave Magill, the owner of Mogie’s.
Renowned sports artist Larry “Klu” Klukaszewski designed the new Back the Blue T-shirt depicting the intertwined badges of slain police officers Derek Kotecki and Brian Shaw, both of whom were Lower Burrell residents.
Shaw, 25, was working as a New Kensington police officer in 2017 when he was shot and killed during a traffic stop in New Kensington. Kotecki, 40, was a Lower Burrell patrolman and K-9 officer who was ambushed and murdered by a fugitive in 2011.
Klu donated the design as well as some of his artwork for a silent auction on Saturday.
Klu posted on Back the Blue AKVFacebook page: “It’s an honor to know and help YOU and all committee members who work so tirelessly to support our police and first responders.”
Last year the group raised close to $6,000, said Ron Balla of New Kensington, Back the Blue AKV committee chairman.
“It’s nice to see the community outpouring of support of law enforcement given what our area lost,” he said.
“It’s a family-oriented event where the public can share their appreciation and interact with the officers,” Balla said.
Admission is $10. Children under 12 get in free. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mogie’s Magill Grill, 3210 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell.
