Communities mourn officer
EVANS CITY — The hand-lettered “We love and support our police officers” sign that appeared last week on the door of the Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department after the police shootings in Dallas took on a different and heart-wrenching meaning Thursday.
Police officers and office staff augmented the sign by draping a long black bunting over the door to the department, and placing two blue wreaths and two black ribbons on each side of the door. Two police vehicles parked nose-to-nose and adorned with black wreaths were part of the display.
The forlorn sight stood as a memorial to Officer Kristine Bartman, 30, who was a patrol officer in the department. Bartman was killed Wednesday night when she crashed her black Yamaha Bolt motorcycle on the Liberty Bridge in Pittsburgh. She was off duty and returning home from the Justin Beiber concert.
Police Chief Joe McCombs and Tom Smith, the Seven Fields manager and police administrator, spent time early Thursday afternoon with Bartman's husband, Zachary, and other family members.
“It's an emotional roller coaster,” said a tired McCombs, who, along with many of Bartman's fellow officers, remained at the police station late Thursday afternoon since being notified of the accident at 1 a.m. “We have our good moments and our tough moments.”
He said Bartman's husband and family and the many officers at the police station shared happy memories of Bartman, and shed a few tears, too.
“The family is having their moments,” McCombs said.
He said Bartman's brother and grandfather were police officers. He said she graduated from Freedom High School in 2004.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's forensics supervisor, Anthony Boffo, reported on Thursday that Bartman died of injuries to her body. The death was ruled accidental.
Pittsburgh Police public information officer Sonya Tolman said Thursday that accident reconstruction experts are working on the case and no comment on the crash would be given until the investigation is complete. Tolman did not know when the investigation would conclude.
Smith was somber after meeting with Bartman's family in Evans City.
“The commission members offer our deepest condolences to Kristine's husband and all of her family and friends,” Smith said.He said Bartman was one of the department's first hires after the regional police department was formed in 2015. Smith said the decision to hire Bartman was not a difficult one.“Her educational background (was impressive), and during the interview process she stood out as a candidate that was going to be exceptional,” Smith said.McCombs said all nine officers will miss Bartman's gregarious personality and positive outlook.“She lifted up everyone's morale when she entered the room,” he said.Smith said while significant healing will be needed across the police department, its work must continue.“We are still expected to serve two communities, and I'm sure the officers will answer that call and we will move forward,” he said.McCombs said the phones at the police desk have been ringing almost constantly with calls from other police departments offering their condolences.The few neighbors who were home at The Village of Harmony Junction off Route 68 where Bartman lived did not know Bartman but were shocked to hear about the accident.The Bartmans started a fitness coaching business in June, according to their Rule 76 Fitness Facebook page. The page shows Kristine Bartman's muscular physique and dedication to fitness.“She was a fitness nut,” McCombs said.Smith said the loss of Bartman on the force will be a tough one.“She was a consummate pro,” he said.Funeral arrangements for Kristine Bartman are not complete.
