The three died April 4 responding to a domestic disturbance in Stanton Heights, where a man who police said was armed with a shotgun and AK-47 engaged in a four-hour standoff with officers.

"These are people who do things we couldn't even imagine doing," said Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth.

"We play Baseball. They protect lives. An 0-for-20 stretch doesn't seem so bad when you think of those officers and the kids who don't have fathers now."

McLouth and his teammates donned Pittsburgh Bureau of Police hats before and during the game, and wore jerseys bearing a PBP patch. The uniforms were signed and are to be auctioned to raise money for the fund administered by the Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union.

Flags behind the center field fence flew at half-staff -- the first time they were lowered for a home opener since 2001, when the team honored Pirates legend Willie Stargell, who died the night before PNC Park's inaugural game, team officials said.

The tributes began before the first pitch, when about 30 city police officers emerged from a tunnel in the right field corner and lined up along the outfield warning track.

They watched in silence as the officers' names and pictures flashed on the Jumbotron and as the police color guard played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. They saluted during the singing of the national anthem.

"Our grief is palpable," Pirates television announcer Greg Brown told the crowd, which rose to applaud the officers. "They will not be forgotten."

Among those on the field were Officers Timothy McManaway, who was shot in the hand during the Stanton Heights shootout, and Brian Jones, who broke his leg while scaling a fence behind the house where the officers were killed. Jones sat through the tributes in a wheelchair. McManaway stood beside him, his hand heavily bandaged.

Many fans gave money to the fund for the officers' families as they arrived.

Sandy Lazzara, CEO of the police credit union, said individual donors have contributed $165,000, and the police department raised more than $70,000 through the sale of T-shirts honoring the officers. She said the total does not include money raised by the Pirates or the more than $100,000 raised last week by the Penguins and their fans.

"It's been amazing," Lazzara said. "And we haven't even opened up all the mail. We're bringing in staff from other credit unions to help."

Police warned yesterday that donations to the Fallen Heroes Fund should be made only through the credit union and said the sale of T-shirts and memorabilia is authorized only at police zone stations, the bureau's Western Avenue headquarters, Fraternal Order of Police offices and at the credit union.

The wives of Kelly and Mayhle are entitled to lifetime pensions based on a portion of their husbands' annual salaries. Kelly had three daughters; Mayhle, two. Records show Marena Kelly will receive $1,199 a month and Shandra Mayhle, $1,122.95 a month. Sciullo's fiancee will not receive his pension but his family will receive a refund of his pension dues worth $34,444.73, pension officials said.

In addition, each family will receive 50 weeks of workers' compensation pay -- about $35,990.54 to Kelly's family and $28,793.65 each to the families of Mayhle and Sciullo. Each officer's family is entitled to $3,000 for funeral expenses.