Fallen Canonsburg officer honored at funeral
A folded American flag is displayed at the burial of Officer Scott Bashioum at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies near Bridgeville on Wednesday.
Fallen Canonsburg officer honored at funeral
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Law enforcement officers salute Wednesday at Church of the Covenant, site of the funeral for Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum.
A blue ribbon in tribute to fallen Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum hangs on a pole on Chestnut Street in Washington Wednesday morning as a police funeral procession drives through.
Police officers stand outside Church of the Covenant in Washington at the funeral of Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum on Wednesday.
The flag from the casket of Officer Scott Bashioum is folded Wednesday at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Police escort the hearse carrying the body of Officer Scott Bashioum to National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Wednesday.
Police Officer Neil Cridege, with his K-9, Scooby, listens Wednesday to the service for Officer Scott Bashioum outside Church of the Covenant in Washington.
Police officers make their way into Church of the Covenant in Washington to honor Officer Scott Bashioum.
Ashley Bashioum, with sons Cole and Carson, holds a flag during the burial of her husband, Officer Scott Bashioum, at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Hundreds of police officers file into Church of the Covenant to honor Officer Scott Bashioum.
Officer Scott Bashioum’s gear sits on the front of a Slovan fire truck Wednesday at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Ashley Bashioum holds sons Cole and Carson as they emerge from Church of the Covenant Wednesday after the funeral of her husband, Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum.
Fallen Canonsburg officer honored at funeral
Officer Scott Bashioum
Scott Bashioum will be remembered for his service, both to the community as a police officer and to the country as a veteran.
But those who knew him well will also remember the little things – his enjoyment of fishing trips; his appreciation in making use of secondhand castoffs; his good humor, no matter how early or late in the day; his generous skills as a handyman.
“He fixed so many things for so many people and didn’t ask for anything,” said his colleague and friend, Canonsburg police Officer Matthew Tharp, who eulogized Bashioum Wednesday.
Bashioum, a seven-year veteran of the Canonsburg Police Department, was shot and killed last week while responding to a domestic violence call.
His widow, Ashley Bashioum, asked mourners to stand and join hands in tribute to her husband during his funeral in Church of the Covenant in Washington.
“We promise to do our very best to strengthen bonds between police officers and communities. We will keep forging pathways for opportunities so that we can end the cycle of violence. We will never stop helping, Scott, the way you helped each and every one of us,” Ashley Bashioum said, her voice breaking. “Rest in peace, because your brothers and sisters in blue have it from here.”
Ashley Bashioum praised her husband for his devotion to his four children and his career.
“Scott always vowed to make his life as a police officer count for something, and I think it’s safe to say he succeeded,” she said.
Bashioum was killed and Officer James Saieva was wounded early Thursday when they were ambushed while answering a call to a domestic dispute. The shooter killed his pregnant wife, Dalia Sabae, before shooting and killing himself.
The funeral Wednesday at the church where Bashioum was a member was led by Dr. Stuart D. Broberg.
At least 800 officers, with black mourning bands across their badges, as well as firefighters and emergency medical responders, converged to pay tribute to one of their own.
Several officers acted as pallbearers while Bashioum’s family, including his sons, and Saieva acted as honorary pallbearers.
People lined the streets to witness more than 300 police vehicles in a procession that detoured through the borough where Bashioum gave his life to National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township, where he was laid to rest.
Full military honors were bestowed at the vast cemetery, where rows of uniformed officers stood at attention, many with tears in their eyes as a final radio call tribute to Bashioum was broadcast.
Bashioum was a graduate of Burgettstown High School and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served during the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom and retired as a senior master sergeant after 29 years of service. He served as assistant chief at Slovan Fire Department, Company 18, and earned life member honors.
Information on the “Officer Scott Bashioum Children Memorial Fund,” established by the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation, can be found at www.wppbf.org.