PITTSBURGH --

A makeshift memorial continues to grow at the Penn Hills police station, as colleagues and the community come to pay tribute to an officer lost in the line of duty.

Colleagues and the community left flowers and other tributes at a memorial to fallen Penn Hills police Officer Michael Crawshaw.

Penn Hills police Officer Michael Crawshaw, 32, was shot with a high-powered rifle as he waited for backup to arrive at 201 Johnston Road at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Allegheny County police Superintendent Charles Moffatt said.

Channel 4 Action News' Ari Hait was at the police station, where a pile of flowers and other tributes continues to grow in front of a large picture of Crawshaw.

Also on display is a sign with Crawshaw's name and the pharase "E.O.W. December 6th, 2009." E.O.W. stands for "end of watch," Hait reported.

A moment of silence was held at the Penn Hills Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night, in memory of Crawshaw.

Family and friends of Officer Michael Crawshaw will be welcomed on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schellhaas Funeral Home (388 Center Ave., West View) for a viewing. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

'Very Good Man' Remembered

Relatives and colleagues of a Penn Hills police officer fatally shot while responding to a call Sunday night described him as a very good man.

The officer was a long-time hunting partner with his great uncle, William Crawshaw. They were just together last week.

"I'm so proud of him. (He was) such a nice, nice kid," William Crawshaw said. "Everybody loved him. I have two sons that just thought so much of him."

Penn Hills Police Chief Howard Burton said Crawshaw had responded to a 911 call and followed protocol by parking a few doors away from the house and calling for backup, but while he was on the radio, the shooter walked up and fired into the left side of Crawshaw's car. Crawshaw was taken to UPMC Presbyterian. Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Williams said Crawshaw was shot three or four times, with a fatal wound to the head.

Officer Crawshaw used to work on the University of Pittsburgh Police Department force, where there's a black wreath and pictures of local officers previously killed in the line of duty. Now, the department will add one of their own to the list.

Hearing the news Sunday night was devastating.

"Instinctively, I just took off and went to Presby without even thinking, and when I got there, I heard the news that he had passed," University of Pittsburgh police Officer Tom Lasky said.

University police Chief Tim Delaney called Crawshaw "a very conscientious officer" who maintained ties to the department after changing jobs. He said Crawshaw created his own exit interview to thank Delaney for the opportunity at Pitt and let him know that he enjoyed his time there.

"He was so well-liked no matter where we went. He went out in the street, he was so good to people, just had a big heart," University of Pittsburgh police Officer Gary Hackett said.

"Both inside and out of work, he was a great all-around guy. Always had a smile on his face, you know, (he) would do anything for anybody and make everybody happy," University of Pittsburgh police Officer Nick Mollo said.

Not only was Crawshaw a nice guy, the officers said, but a great police officer who always strove to improve.

"He just wanted to learn so much about the job," Lasky said. "He wanted to be the best officer he could possibly be."

"It's just that he was a good, good man. A very good man," William Crawshaw said.

Crawshaw went to Shaler Area High School, where he played football. He was not married and did not have children.

Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.