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First responders honored by Masons

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Police officers, firefighters and other first responders were honored for their service Sunday during a ceremony at the Greater Masonic Center, Washington.

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Angela DeThomas places a pin on the lapel of Canonsburg Police Chief Alex Coghill Sunday during a recognition ceremony for first responders.

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Mason Joseph DeThomas honors Washington Councilman Joe Manning, a former firefighter.

Five men who died in the line of duty and five who acted bravely in perilous circumstances were honored Sunday by the Masons of Greater Washington.

“I’ve lived here all of my life. I … knew a lot of those who have given their life in the line of duty,” said Mason and Washington County Coroner Tim Warco. “It’s really an honor to be present here.”

Martha V. Paul Chapter 404, Order of Eastern Star, Washington Lodge No. 164, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Sunset Lodge 623 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons held a recognition ceremony and dinner in the Greater Masonic Center, Washington.

“They have my deepest respect,” said Washington Mayor Scott Putnam. “Everybody is so professional. They do their job, and they do it well.”

In addition to presenting pins of recognition to the first responders present, the Masons recognized those killed while on duty, with family members present to accept the honors.

Canonsburg Police Officer Scott Bashioum was shot and killed Nov. 10 while responding to a domestic violence call. East Washington Police Officer John Dryer was shot and killed Dec. 18, 2011, following a traffic stop. South Strabane Police Officer Nathaniel Burnfield was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 70 Nov. 4, 2008. Jeremy LaBella of the Washington Fire Department was killed Feb. 4, 2007, while attempting to extinguish a commercial fire. Richard A. Thomas of the Washington Police Department was killed while on duty May 26, 1922.

A portrait of Bashioum, who was a Mason, was unveiled after the ceremony. It will be placed in the hall in his memory.

Certificates of valor were presented to Robert Caldwell III of East Washington Police, George McMullen of Washington Fire Department, Ron McIntyre of Washington Police Department and James Saieva and Donald Cross of Canonsburg Police Department.

Caldwell was shot during the traffic stop that killed Dryer, his partner. McMullen was also trapped in the fire that killed LaBella. McIntyre was injured Oct. 15, 2006, when he fell more than 50 feet from a window while rescuing residents of TheGeorge Washington Hotel from a fire. Saieva and Cross arrived first when Bashioum was shot. Saieva was shot and Cross was under gunfire when he helped remove Bashioum and Saieva from the scene.

“We really appreciate and need you,” said Mason Joseph DeThomas. “Thank you.”

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