Officer Derek Kotecki

On October 12, 2011 Lower Burrell K9 Officer Derek Kotecki was shot and killed in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend a felony suspect. Officer Kotecki, having served 18 years with the Lower Burrell Police department was well known and respected in his community. To honor Officer Kotecki we are organizing our tenth annual benefit golf tournament and Baskets for the Blue basket raffle to raise funds for the Officer Derek Kotecki Scholarship. The Officer Derek Kotecki Scholarship Fund was organized for seniors planning on studying law enforcement, as well as, seniors involved in the high school basketball program. After awarding scholarships for the 2024 graduates, we will have awarded around $69,500 in scholarships in

the Burrell, New Kensington-Arnold, and Kiski Area school districts since 2013. We plan to set our goal higher each year to help out high school seniors around the community.

 

The fundraiser event will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the Hillcrest Country Club in Derek’s hometown of Lower Burrell, PA. The tournament will be an 18-hole, four person scramble event to include 32 foursomes. During the outing, we will hold our “Baskets of Blue” basket raffle for the attendees. Each year our golfers and volunteers enjoy taking a chance to win some of our amazing baskets and raffle ticket items!

 

We are hoping to obtain donations and tournament sponsors to support this event for local high school seniors in memory of our fallen hero. We would welcome any donated items or gift certificates for auction and raffle prizes that would help make this event a success. There are also golf sponsorship opportunities available. The golf sponsorship opportunities are based on three tiers: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. Each tier offers items that include; personalized golf flags, personalized tee box signs, or golf cart sponsorships.

 

With your support, we can continue to make this an annual event to bring the community together, as well as, raise funds for the preservation of the Kotecki Scholarship Fund. Your participation and generous donations will help to make this event memorable and successful. For your generosity, we will gladly put your company name and/or logo on the sponsor board at the event and on our website at www.officerderekkotecki.com. All proceeds from the event will go towards the scholarships in honor of Officer Derek Kotecki. Thank you in advance for your support of the K9 Officer Derek Kotecki Scholarship Fund.

 

To confirm your participation, please complete the enclosed form(s) and return by the date indicated at the top of each form. Forms will also be available online via the Officer Kotecki website www.officerderekkotecki.com and the City of Lower Burrell website www.cityoflowerburrell.com. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL FORMS TO THE CITY. All submissions must be mailed to the address on the form. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to email us at ODKBC27@gmail.com or contact one of the coordinators listed on the forms.

 

Sincerely,

 

           Shasta Biricocchi     Audra Flemm