Nov 10, 2017 3 min read

In November 2016, residents of Canonsburg and surrounding communities awoke to the news that a borough police officer lost his life and another was seriously injured when they were gunned down in an ambush while responding to a domestic disturbance.

Officer Scott L. Bashioum, who died less than an hour after the shooting in the early hours of Nov. 10, 2016, was memorialized on the first anniversary of his death, with the dedication of a bridge bearing his name.

“One year ago today, a sleepy town woke up to the tragic news they will never forget,” said state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township. “Today we honor the hero lost in the line of duty, as well as Officer James Saieva, who was injured, and Sgt. Don Cross, who put his life on the line to help them.”

“Dalia Sabae was a victim of domestic violence, along with her unborn son,” he added.

Neuman sponsored a bill, signed into law last month by Gov. Tom Wolf, to rename the bridge that takes South Central Avenue over Chartiers Creek as the Officer Scott L. Bashioum Memorial Bridge.

Bashioum and Saieva were responding to a home on Woodcrest Drive for the domestic dispute when they were shot by Michael Cwiklinski in an ambush. Cwiklinski also shot and killed his estranged wife, Sabae, who was three months pregnant with their son, before turning the gun on himself.

Neuman said Bashioum led a life of service, from his time as a member of the U.S. Air Force to his years with Slovan Volunteer Fire Department and Canonsburg Police Department. Neuman also remembered Bashioum as a mentor to kids.

Bashioum was often on the bridge that is now named for him, making sure children were safe on their way to and from school.

“If you called 911, Scott would show up,” Neuman said. “He showed up that morning and was ambushed by a coward. You never think it will happen in your town, that it would happen in Canonsburg. Scott was a hero because of the way he lived his life. He would sacrifice anything for anybody.”

Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome said the town would remember Bashioum, not just on Nov. 10, but every day. He said police officers protect people they do not know while never knowing themselves if they will return home at the end of their shift.

Tim Solobay, state fire commissioner and assistant borough fire chief, read a statement from the governor, who was not able to attend because of an illness in his family. Wolf called the bridge a tribute to Bashioum’s service and bravery.

Hundreds of people, including Bashioum’s family and dozens of police officers and firefighters, braved frigid temperatures and a brisk breeze to attend the dedication.

Mike Philips, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 22, asked them to remember not only Bashioum but South Strabane Township police Officer Nathan Burnfield and East Washington police Officer David Dryer, who also were killed in the line of duty. Philips said plans are in the works to construct a memorial to remember all fallen first responders in Washington County.

“Sixty-one law enforcement officers have been killed in the commonwealth over the last 10 years,” Philips said. “That is six a year, and that is not very good.”

“This bridge is the gateway to downtown Canonsburg,” Neuman said. “People coming here will know that a hero lived here and died here.”