BRACKENRIDGE, Pa. — A quick change of the road sign at the intersection of Third Avenue and Morgan Street made the McIntire Way name change official, honoring the life of Police Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed in the line of duty in January.
“McIntire Way is just not a street change to this community, it’s about the way that he lived,” said Debbie Beale, a family friend. “McIntire Way means that. His way.”
Beale was the one who spearheaded the idea to change the name of Third Avenue.
It’s where McIntire grew up, where his mom still lives, and where he was ambushed and killed.
“This is his lifeblood here,” Beale said. “He gave his blood here, actually.”
The name change comes nearly five months after McIntire’s death.
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It’s been tough on the Brackenridge community.
“It changed us to understand how important life really is, for sure,” Beale added.
It’s a tight-knit community, and that was evident Saturday as friends and neighbors joined the McIntire family for the ceremony. They braved the rain, which cleared up just as the ceremony started.
“In a lot of ways, we are also family, and I know how special this town is, Chief [McIntire] knew how special this town is, and I just hope we as a community can move forward with that in our hearts and really be good to one another in his honor,” said Mayor Lindsay Fraser.
McIntire’s mom and dad both spoke during the ceremony, thanking the community for honoring the man they call their hero.
“Justin is our forever hero,” said Lee McIntire, Justin’s father.
“I know my son is smiling down today on all of us and he will be always watching over us,” said Lori McIntire, Justin’s mom. “He is truly a hometown hero, yours and mine.”
A bench was also made and dedicated to McIntire. Mayor Fraser said they’re still working on a permanent location, but it will likely be along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Brackenridge Memorial Park.
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