Officer Sean Sluganski, Chief Justin McIntire among dozen of line of duty police killings in last 15 years in Western Pa.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Less than two months into 2023, two police officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty in Western Pennsylvania.
The two line of duty deaths mark a dozen law enforcement officers whose lives were taken while fulfilling their duty to protect and serve communities in the Pittsburgh area. These are their stories.
McKeesport Police Officer Sean Sluganski -- Feb. 6th, 2023
Officer Sean Sluganski was shot and killed following a domestic dispute between a mother and son.
Sluganski and fellow officer Chuck Thomas were pursuing the son in the incident, later identified as Johnathan Morris.
The officers began chasing down Morris. When they caught up with him along Grandview Avenue, Morris pulled out a handgun and fired at Sluganski and Thomas. Thomas was shot in the face and arm, while Sluganski was fatally wounded.
His fellow officers and other first responders remember him as an officer who treated everyone with respect and kindness and as a good guy who could talk to anybody.
During a funeral mass in Baldwin, family members, loved ones and fellow police officers spoke about Sluganski and the legacy he leaves behind.
"I couldn't have had a better partner. He'll forever be my hero," said Officer Chuck Thomas.
Sluganski was laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery following the mass. Officer Sluganski leaves behind a fiancée and a 1-year-old child.
Johnathan Morris is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail on criminal homicide and other charges.
Brackenridge Borough Police Chief Justin McIntire -- Jan. 2nd, 2023
Chief McIntire was shot and killed while pursuing a suspect wanted on a probation violation.
The small, usually quiet borough of Brackenridge was brought to its knees last month when its police chief was killed in the line of duty.
Chief Justin McIntire had been with the department for 22 years, serving as chief for the last four years of his watch.
On the afternoon of Jan. 2nd, Chief McIntire was pursuing a suspect, later identified as Aaron Lamont Swan, who was wanted for a probation violation. Chief McIntire was shot and killed by Swan, while a Tarentum Police officer was also injured.
After fleeing Brackenridge, Swan was encountered by Pittsburgh Police officers in the city's Homewood neighborhood. After opening fire on officers, detectives returned fire, shooting and killing Swan.
Chief McIntire was remembered by Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser and former Brackenridge Police Chief Jamie Bock as someone who dedicated his life and service to the area, always focused on giving back to the small borough where he was born and raised.
Police and law enforcement officers from all across the country converged upon New Kensington to honor and mourn the fallen chief.
New Kensington Police Officer Brian Shaw - Nov. 17th, 2017
Officer Shaw was shot and killed during a traffic stop while chasing a suspect on foot.
The suspect, Rahmael Holt, was convicted and sentenced to the death penalty.
When a funeral procession was held, thousands of police officers, first responders, military and members of the community lined the streets for the procession. Officers traveled from as far away as Virginia, Colorado, New York and Chicago to pay their respects to Officer Shaw.
Today, a stone and bench with Shaw's name on it is memorialized outside the New Kensington Police Department.
An annual motorcycle ride is held in Shaw's honor each summer through the Alle-Kiski Valley.
Canonsburg Police Officer Scott Bashioum - Nov. 10th, 2016
Officer Bashioum was ambushed and shot and killed while responding to a domestic incident. Another officer was injured during the response.
Officer Bashioum had served with the department for seven years.
Hundreds of officers from around the country arrived to pay their final respects when Officer Bashioum was laid to rest.
One year after his tragic death, a bridge leading into Canonsburg was renamed in his honor.
The following year, a local post office was rededicated in his name.
St. Clair Township Police Officer Lloyd Reed Jr. -- Nov. 28th, 2015
Officer Reed was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call in New Florence.
Reed was the first to respond to the scene and encountered the suspect, Ray Shetler, Jr., who was armed with a rifle.
When Shetler refused to drop the weapon, Reed opened fire and was hit by returning fire from Shetler.
Shetler claimed self-defense, saying that he was unaware that Reed was a police officer. He was acquitted of homicide charges in 2018.
John David Dryer - East Washington Borough Police Department -- Dec. 18th, 2011
Officer Dryer was shot and killed during a traffic stop along Interstate 70 in South Strabane Township.
Dryer was shot in the thigh when asking for the driver, Eli Myers, to step out of the vehicle. He was then shot in the head.
A 10-hour standoff ensued in Rostraver Township and Myers was shot and killed by police.
Lower Burrell Police Officer Derek Kotecki -- Oct. 12th, 2011
Officer Kotecki was shot and killed when he was ambushed by a fugitive in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen along Greensburg Road.
The suspect, Charlie Post, shot Kotecki multiple times before taking his own life.
Officer Kotecki served for nearly 18 years on the police force prior to his tragic death.
For Officer Kotecki's funeral, hundreds of police officers joined a procession that led Kotecki's body to Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.
At the cemetery, bagpipes played as a riderless horse signaled the loss. Fellow officers saluted the flag-draped coffin. There was also a gun salute and a state police helicopter flew over the cemetery and its sign that said: "Heaven Welcomes A Hero: Officer Derek Kotecki."
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Paul Richey -- Jan. 13th, 2010
Trooper Richey was shot and killed while responding to domestic disturbance in Venango County.
Trooper Richey was killed by a man who also killed his wife during the incident. The man, Michael J. Smith, then turned the gun on himself.
Penn Hills Police Officer Michael Crawshaw - Dec. 6th, 2009
Officer Crawshaw was shot and killed after his police cruiser was sprayed with gunfire.
The suspect, Ronald Robinson shot a man inside a home and Officer Crawshaw was waiting for backup.
Pittsburgh Police Officers Paul Sciullo, Stephen Mayhle and Eric Kelly -- April 4th, 2009
The three Pittsburgh Police officers lost their lives early on a Saturday morning in Pittsburgh's Stanton Heights neighborhood.
Officers Sciullo and Mayhle were called to a home where a mother and son were involved in a domestic incident.
When they arrived at the home, Sciullo was killed by the son, later identified as Richard Poplawski.
Officers Mayhle and Kelly were also killed during the response and shootout with Poplawski.
Poplawski was convicted and sentenced to death and is currently on death row.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent Sam Hicks -- Nov. 19th, 2008
Agent Hicks was shot and killed while serving a warrant in Indiana Township.
When agents entered the home, Hicks was shot by Christina Korbe, who thought someone was breaking into the home.
Korbe pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to federal prison. She was released from prison last year.
