Pittsburgh Residents, Police React To Poplawski's Death Sentence
PITTSBURGH -- Many residents of the city of Pittsburgh said they woke up on Wednesday with a sense of relief to news that convicted cop killer Richard Poplawski, 24, had been sentenced to death.
Channel 11's Jodine Costanzo spoke to many people who stopped by the officers' memorial in Bloomfield to pay their respects.
Many people said that Poplawski got what he deserved, but the grieving families of officers Paul Sciullo II, 36, Stephen Mayhle, 29, and Eric Kelly, 41, will never have justice.
Channel 11 was there as school police Chief Bob Fadzen visited the memorial outside of Saint Joseph's Church on Liberty Avenue to remember the fallen officers.
"I was there when they notified Mayhle's kids," Fadzen said through tears. "The little girl…, I'll never forget her breaking down and crying for her daddy."
Several businesses in Bloomfield continue to keep the officers' photos and posters on storefront windows. Officer Sciullo grew up in Bloomfield and the residents there continue to honor the three men who they call heroes.
"I feel he got what he deserves," Vince Palmiere said of Poplawski. "An eye for an eye,"
"I just hope the families can heal and go on. That's who you think of the most," Margie Edwards said.
Fadzen said Sciullo, Kelly and Mayhle will forever live in the hearts of Pittsburgh.
"You never get justice here. He got what he deserved. But what those families went through and what they'll go through the rest of their lives is just unbelievable," said Fadzen.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper also talked about the sentencing and said he too believes that Poplawski deserved the death penalty.
Harper said the tragedy has been a painful lesson for his officers and they now take extra precautions when they know a weapon is involved.
The chief said the shootings are still painful to cope with, but the verdict is helping the police family move forward and find closure.
"The morale has been lifted by saying the justice system worked the way we thought it should work and the outcome is the outcome we hoped it would be," Harper said.
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