Community Leaders React To Death Of Officer Calvin Hall

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The death of Pittsburgh Police Officer Calvin Hall has been tough for the community, including local and state officials who knew him well.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman spoke with KDKA's Chris Hoffman over the phone and remembered the life of Officer Hall.

Officer Hall worked in Braddock when Lt. Gov. Fetterman was the mayor. He said the world lost a good officer.

"It's senseless. Just absolutely senseless," Lt. Gov. Fetterman said.

WATCH: City Leaders Speak On Violence Of Fallen Officer

He said Officer Hall was what any community wants in an officer. He was professional and was proud to wear the badge.

"He served our community with merit, with empathy, and professionalism. He was a true credit to our force in Braddock and I'm sure he was for Pittsburgh," Fetterman said.

Officer Hall served the Braddock community for about a year-and-a-half before leaving for the Pittsburgh Police.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said in a statement Officer Hall was "a man who was deeply committed to his public service."

WATCH: Fellow Officers Speak About Calvin Hall's Passing

That service showed during his time in Braddock. Lt. Gov. Fetterman said Officer Hall was a peacemaker.

"That is totally consistent with kind of person that I know him to be and his character," he said.

It's looking to make peace that took Officer Hall's life. According to police, Officer Hall was shot in the back as he tried to end a fight while he was off duty.

"It's just awful, but it makes a powerful statement for what he believed in and what he worked for," Lt. Gov. Fetterman said emotionally. "The awful part is that it cost him his life."

Fetterman said if there is anything that can come from this death, it's learning the value of life.

"We cannot become desensitized to the crisis of gun violence that we have in our community," he said.

KDKA's Meghan Schiller Reports:

Fetterman said they are looking for ways to honor Officer Hall at the state level.

His fellow officers at the Pittsburgh Police also felt the difference Officer Hall made.

"I can tell you he made a difference with us, he made a difference with the community, and he made a difference with his life," said Chief Scott Schubert, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. "This is a very hard day for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. We're all suffering with what happened."

"Calvin exemplified what we are as police officers. He was a phenomenal person, a true guardian," said Sgt. Joe Lewis, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

Officer Hall also worked in the Point Park University Police Department. They issued this statement:

"Calvin Hall made his mark as an exceptional police officer in his two years with the Point Park University Police Department. I hired him with the hope that he would be part of the Point Park family for years to come, but the Pittsburgh Police came calling, as they saw the same things in him that I did. There is no shortage of people who loved Calvin, and we join them in mourning this terrible loss. Our hearts are with his family, and his brothers and sisters with the Pittsburgh Police. This city has lost a great servant and ambassador."