Advertisement Police officer dies in Liberty Bridge crash after Justin Bieber show Officer Kristine Bartman worked for Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The husband of the off-duty Evans City Seven Fields Regional police officer, who died after a motorcycle crash on the Liberty Bridge Wednesday night, is speaking out -- both about his loss and the circumstances of the crash."She literally made me a better person from the time that I knew her and I hope that I can continue that in her absence," Zach Bartman, husband of the late officer Kristine Bartman, told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.Video: Watch Bob Mayo's report"I also just wanted to clear the air. A lot of the early statements on the news have stated that she ran into the back of a vehicle , which is completely incorrect. I just talked to the investigating officer immediately after the incident, and she was violently rear-ended by another driver, which forced her into the back of that other vehcile," Zach Bartman said.Officer Kristine Bartman had attended the Justin Bieber concert with family at Consol Energy Center earlier Wednesday evening, but she was injured in the motorcycle crash on Liberty Bridge and taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where she later died. Evans City Seven Fields Police Chief Joseph McCombs said he was notified by a Pittsburgh Police commander."We started calling all the officers, we caravaned three police units with nine police officers to the Mercy Hospital emergency room," McCombs said. Officer Bartman later died."It was just so shocking. I just couldn't believe it when I woke up this morning that we lost a very crucial officer," said Evans City Mayor Dean Zinkhann.Kristine Bartman, 30, had made a strong impression in the communities she served during her more than one year on the force."Very well respected by her peers and by neighboring departments, and was a phenomenal police officer," McCombs said. "Very strong. Strong willed person. A great personality. She lit up the room, and lit up all the faces behind you with those officers."She had followed her brother and grandfather into law enforcement. Her husband said her brother is a member of the Secret Service. Kristine Bartman impressed friends both on and off the force."We spoke of Kristine, saying how awesome of a person she was. And to get news like this this morning, it hurt bad," said Kenneth Thomas, a friend who had been in the Bartmans' wedding ceremony."(She was) very, very nice and helping to the community. She just lived and grew for this place, and I am very very saddened by the whole situation. But God only knows when we may go," Zinkhann said."Such beautiful people, her and her husband. I feel so bad for the husband, what he has to go through. And I hope he stays strong and gets through this," Thomas said.Police cars with a black wreath and other tributes have been place in her memory in front of the police headquarters in Evans City. The cars and the front of the building will be bathed in blue lights Thursday night.Zach Bartman said that, in lieu of sending flowers, because of his late wife's love for animals, people should make donations in her memory to their local humane society. He mentioned the humane societies in Beaver and Butler counties as two examples.Full video: Watch the police chief's news conferenceGet the WTAE Pittsburgh's Action News 4 App