Slain Pittsburgh Officer's Family Celebrates New Life

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The family of fallen Pittsburgh Police Officer Eric Kelly is celebrating the circle of life.

A lot of hope rests on these tiny shoulders.

At 8-pounds, 6-ounces, Devin Devon Pope was born September 21st at West Penn Hospital at 4:40 p.m. on what would have been his uncle's 44th birthday.

Devin's mom, Danyelle Cheatham, is Officer Eric Kelly's sister.

"He cared about everyone, my brother cared about everyone and tried best to be there for everyone," she said.

On that April morning in 2009, Officer Kelly's shift was over. He was going home.

Instead, he went to help his brother officers at the standoff with Richard Poplowski and died with them.

Looking at her son's face, Danyelle says, "When it gets to a certain time, I'll tell him about him."

This little boy was due to arrive a week ago, so his timing seems to be something of a heavenly message for his family.

"There was no way I ever would have thought that he would have been that stubborn to stay in there that long just so he could come out on my brother's birthday," she said.

Eric Kelly's family has weathered such tremendous loss, but there is no better reminder than a new baby that life can give as well as take.

"This was like God's little gift to us, you know, to have him on his birthday," Danyelle said.

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