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Police Show Support For Fallen Heroes' Families

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) –A man accused of killing three Pittsburgh Police officers went on trial Monday morning.

While many were focused on what was going on inside the Allegheny County Courthouse, an outpouring of support was growing outside.

Dozens of law enforcement members showed up to offer their support to the families of Officers Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo II.

As many streamed into the courthouse, it was impossible to ignore the police presence outside.

"I saw a low of Pittsburgh Police officers, Ross Township, Pennsylvania State Police, Moon Township, I couldn't tell you them all. There's a variety of agencies," Pittsburgh Police Commander Scott Schubert said.

They were there for the trial of a man accused of killing three of their own in Stanton Heights in 2009.

"We brought Richard Poplawski here seeking justice from the criminal justice system," Pittsburgh Police Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson said.

"Stephen Mayhle, Paul Sciullo, Eric Kelly, all three directly worked for me and they were three fine men that were taken for no apparent reason," Pittsburgh Police Sergeant Charles Henderson said.

While the officer came seeking justice for their fallen comrades, they were also there to support the officers' families.

All stood at attention as a Pittsburgh Police van, carrying the three families, drove down Ross Street on the way to the trial.

"We're here for them. We stand with them. We grieved with them and we'll heal with them," Commander Schubert said.

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