First responders honored at Southpointe appreciation banquet
Chartiers Township firefighters Jeff Simpson, front, and Doug Cushey are greeted with cheers and high fives by members of Central Assembly of God church as they arrive at the First Responders Appreciation Banquet at Southpointe Hilton Garden Inn Monday.
Pastor Bryan Koch, a former professional baseball player who lost his wife, Lynn, and his left leg when the couple’s motorcycle was struck by a drunk driver in 2015, was the keynote speaker at the banquet. He said first responders saved his life, and thanked those who attended for their service.
Larry LaRue of the Cecil Township Fire Department, left, gestures to Elizbeth Talbert, 17 months, daughter of Donegal Township police Officer Carl Talbert, right, at the First Responders Appreciation Banquet held by Central Assembly of God and co-sponsored by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania.
Robert Fetty, a Chartiers Township firefighter, and his wife, Lita, arrive at the appreciation banquet.
First responders who attended the First Responders Appreciation Banquet held Monday at Southpointe Hilton Garden Inn were, ironically, delayed because of two vehicle accidents that snarled traffic on Interstate 79.
But when they arrived, the more than 230 police officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers and their families were greeted with cheers, waving pom-poms and high fives from members of Central Assembly of God Church in Houston, which hosted the event, co-sponsored by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Kurt Jenkins, pastor of Central Assembly, said the night was dedicated to honoring Washington County’s first responders.
“Your acts so often go unnoticed, but they are a vital part of what makes Washington County a great place to live. We want you to know we notice,” said Jenkins. “We recognize the great commitment and the great sacrifice that you make and tonight, we humbly say thank you.”
Vicki Barton, pastor of missions at Central Assembly, said the banquet has been held annually for the past five years to honor Chartiers Township, Houston and Canonsburg first responders, but this year, the church decided to honor all Washington County first responders.
About 30 departments from Washington County municipalities were represented.
The banquet included a performance by former American Idol finalist Adam Brock, who serves as creative arts pastor at Central Assembly, and TMG Big Band, raffle prizes and gifts, free family portraits and a children’s activity room. Each first responder also received a book of letters, poems and artwork created by middle school students at Central Christian Academy.
The keynote speaker was Pastor Bryan Koch, a former professional baseball player and minister at GT Church in Berks County, whose wife was killed when the couple’s motorcycle was struck head-on by a drunk driver on June 7, 2015, about one mile from their home. Koch, who received 36 units of blood and wasn’t expected to survive the accident, had his left leg amputated and suffered internal injuries.
Koch said that earlier on the day of the accident, the church held a service to honor first responders, and about 60 police officers, firefighters and EMTs attended.
“Twenty-eight of those first responders who had been at the church were at the accident that afternoon,” said Koch, 52, who was pinned underneath the truck that struck the motorcycle, until first responders pulled him out.
“The truck was not stable, but they risked their lives to save mine,” said Koch, who was hospitalized for 56 days and underwent 19 surgeries.
He thanked the first responders in attendance.
“We do support you, we do believe in you, and we thank you for all that you do. This area wants to say to you guys and gals thank you for all you do. We just want to say from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate every man and woman in this county who keeps it safer,” said Koch. “When everyone else runs this way, you guys and gals have to run toward it. We run away from problems, and you run toward them. So many times, you see the trauma, you see the incident, you see the situation. I stand here tonight as a reminder that what you do makes a difference because if you didn’t do what you do, I would not be here tonight.”
During the banquet, Jenkins recognized Ashley Bashioum, widow of Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum, who was shot and killed Nov. 10 responding to a domestic violence call. She received a standing ovation after Jenkins thanked Bashioum for his service, saying, “He gave his life to protect and to serve.”
Jenkins also paid tribute to Canonsburg police Officer James Saieva, who was wounded when he and Bashioum were ambushed while answering the call, and thanked officers and emergency personnel who responded to the shootings.
First responders said they appreciated the show of support.
“I’m kind of speechless. It is so wonderful they do this to recognize us,” said Robert Fetty, a member of Chartiers Township Fire Department. “We do this because we love it. We’re being honored for something we love to do.”