Bridge to be named for fallen Canonsburg officer
Officer Scott Bashioum
The bridge on South Central Avenue over Chartiers Creek in Canonsburg that is being renamed for Officer Scott Bashioum
The state Senate Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that would dedicate a local bridge to honor slain Canonsburg police officer Scott Bashioum, and it is now headed to the governor’s desk for his signature.
“I’m thankful for the Senate’s support of the measure as we approach the one-year anniversary of the tragedy that took Officer Bashioum from us,” said state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane, who sponsored the bill. “Soon, the Central Avenue Bridge over Chartiers Creek in Canonsburg will forever be known as the Officer Scott L. Bashioum Memorial Bridge to honor this hero who is missed so dearly.”
Bashioum, 52, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was slain in the early hours of Nov. 10, responding to a domestic violence report. He and Officer James Saieva, who survived, were shot during an ambush when they arrived at a home on Woodcrest Drive. The shooter, Michael Cwiklinski, also killed his pregnant wife, 28-year-old Dalia Sabae, before shooting and killing himself.
The measure to rename the bridge was sought throughout the community, as well as by Canonsburg’s borough council, mayor and police chief.
“The love and respect Officer Bashioum earned through his sacrifice and service is evident in the unanimous support voiced by the House and Senate,” Neuman said. “In this partisan environment, it is encouraging to see that we can come together to honor and memorialize a fallen hero.”
Neuman’s House Bill 103 honors other heroes in the tragedy, including Saieva; Canonsburg Officer Donald Cross, who, under gunfire, risked his life to get to Bashioum and Saieva; and Officer John Holt and Sgt. Matt Collins of the Cecil Township and Peters Township police departments, respectively, who were recognized for displaying incredible bravery during the events of Nov. 10.
The measure also pays tribute to Sabae, who was an intern working toward a pharmacist license.
“It’s been a difficult 11 months since that tragic November morning,” Neuman said. “Each day our community, friends of the victims and all those harmed by the violence continue to try to heal.”
Another measure is working its way through Congress to rename the Canonsburg post office for the fallen officer.