Bashioum remembered two years later
CANONSBURG – Two years after he was slain in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance, family, friends, Canonsburg police officers and borough officials gathered Monday to remember Officer Scott L. Bashioum.
The 52-year-old Bashioum along with fellow borough Officer James Saieva and Sgt. Donald Cross were responding to a call in the early morning hours of Nov. 10, 2016, when they were shot in an ambush. Saieva suffered serious injuries. Cross, with help from Peters Township Sgt. Matt Collins and Cecil Township Sgt. John Holt, got Bashioum into a patrol vehicle so he could be taken to the hospital. Bashioum, who was shot twice, was pronounced dead at Canonsburg Hospital.
The shooter, 47-year-old Michael Cwiklinski, was found dead inside the home along with his estranged wife, 28-year-old Dalia Elhefny Sabae. She was three months pregnant with a son.
Police Chief Al Coghill said since the anniversary was Saturday, it seemed appropriate to recognize Bashioum on Veterans Day. Bashioum served in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years before retiring. Bashioum had been a Canonsburg police officer for seven years.
Coghill said they are grateful Saieva recovered and was able to return to duty.
“And we are thankful for all of the brave officers who responded that night,” Coghill said, noting the efforts of Cross, Collins and Holt. “We are grateful to the way the community came together and supported us.”
Coghill thanked Pastor Steve Parkland of South Canonsburg Church who assisted the department, offering prayers as officers grieved Bashioum’s death.
Dr. Stuart Broberg, pastor of Church of the Covenant in Washington where Bashioum and his family attended, said he still misses him terribly.
“I think of Scott all of the time,” Broberg said. “I think of him every time I hear an officer is shot in the line of duty.”
“Keep each other safe so no other family has to go through what the Bashioum family did,”he added.
Les Bashioum held up a ballcap worn by his son during when he did motor carrier enforcement.
“I told the chief I needed something and he found me this hat,” the elder Bashioum said. “This hat goes with me to all the important events.”
Coghill said that Bashioum’s death should serve as a reminder to all police officers.
“We are put right smack dab in the front of evil every day and night,” Coghill said.