Slippery Rock Coach On Fallen Officer, Former Player: 'Words Can't Describe How I Feel'
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SLIPPERY ROCK (KDKA) - Slippery Rock head football coach Shawn Lutz spoke with KDKA about fallen New Kensington police officer, Brian Shaw, who was a former player of his.
"Words can't describe how I feel. It's tragic," Lutz said. "He was part of our 2011 and 2013 championship teams."
Shaw was the team's kicker.
"He said he wanted to be a police officer, he was a hard working guy, such a positive young man. He would do anything for the team. Whether we had wins or losses he was so positive about the opportunity to play for us. Every time I think about Brian, I think of such a positive guy who would be successful at anything he did," Lutz said.
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Lutz says Shaw was one of those kickers that loved the game of football.
"He loved being around our guys and our team," Lutz said.
"After graduating, he would still attend some of the games. He would recommend players in the area he thought would be good recruits. He stayed invested in the program. He lived every day to the fullest," Lutz said. "There's been so much support. This is a brotherhood."
It didn't surprise Coach Lutz that Officer Shaw chased the suspect after he fled. "That's what he's all about. He's never going to back down. He's a role model for everyone."
Coach Lutz has been involved with the Slippery Rock University football program for than 20-years and this is his second year as head coach.
Officer Shaw graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2015 and Burrell High School in 2010.
Slippery Rock University will hold a moment of silence for Officer Shaw at Saturday's 3 p.m. basketball game.
