City Councilman Jeffrey Koch will be cited for disorderly conduct and harassment after having shoved an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer during a fracas at a Brookline softball game, city police said Tuesday.
The first-term councilman pushed his chest into the back of Joe Nicholas as the off-duty officer, of the city's Hill District station, and other police worked to control an unruly crowd Sunday at Brookline Memorial Recreation Center, police said.
Koch, 44, of Arlington, denied pushing any police officers during the fracas.
"They've gotta cover their tracks somehow," he said. "In my eyes, if I weren't a councilman, this wouldn't matter. It would be swept under the rug."
The incident unfolded around 10 p.m. Sunday as Nicholas coached a softball game between high school-age girls from Brookline and the South Side. Koch said he attended the game to watch his teenage daughters play for the South Side team in the Southwest Independent Girls Softball League.
After South Side fans began shouting threats at a Brookline player, the girl's father, Bill Gallagher, went to the South Side fan section and asked them to stop, police said. When fans surrounded Gallagher, police said, Nicholas -- a Brookline coach -- walked over, seeking to calm the situation.
Nicholas identified himself as a police officer. Heather Bevan, 22, the daughter of South Side coach Gary Bevan, ran from the stands and attacked Nicholas, punching him several times in the face, according to a criminal complaint.
Gary Bevan tried to come to his daughter's aid as Nicholas attempted to arrest her, police said. Fans grew angry as Nicholas tried to hold Gary Bevan against a fence, prompting the off-duty policeman to call 911.
Detective Brian Nicholas, who works in the city police's narcotics investigation unit, was traveling nearby and responded. The two officers are brothers.
As police tried to calm fans, Koch pushed Joe Nicholas and said that Gary Bevan shouldn't be arrested, police said.
Bryan Nicholas pushed Koch back, and the councilman tripped over a garbage can and fell onto a hillside, police said.
Other officers arrived, and Heather Bevan was arrested for aggravated assault. The game was canceled, and Koch walked away, police said.
Koch said he didn't tell police he was a city councilman until well after the incident because he didn't want special treatment.
His District 3 council seat covers Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, South Oakland, Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, the South Side, St. Clair and part of Carrick.
His salary is more than $53,000. Koch took office in January after working as a Public Works truck driver.
He will receive the summary citation in the mail, police said.
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