Ringgold children give officers candy in wake of Canonsburg tragedy Gift packs distributed following murder of Canonsburg Officer Scott Bashioum
GASTONVILLE – Ringgold elementary school teacher Susan Toth had an idea brewing to have her students give candy to local police officers, but she wanted to wait until the time was right to move on the project.
The right time came Nov. 10 when Michael Cwiklinski, 47, shot and killed his wife, Dalia Sabae, and Canonsburg police Officer Scott Bashioum before Cwiklinski turned his gun on himself, Toth said Tuesday when she held a law enforcement appreciation event at Ringgold Elementary School North in Union Township.
“They talked to each other about it a lot,” said Toth, referring to the shooting that also injured Canonsburg police Officer James Saivea when the officers responded to a domestic call at Sabae’s residence.
Toth assigned her class to create thank-you cards and treat bags for all of the police officers who serve the district, as well as the Washington County sheriff’s office.
The treat bags contained Life Savers as a reminder of what police do upon occasion, and Hershey’s Kisses as a show of love. The candy was supplied by the students’ families.
In turn, the students were treated to a visit from sheriff’s Deputy Kristie Salzman and Obie, the county’s handsome, bomb-sniffing black Labrador retriever.
The program delivered an anti-drug message and a lesson on how to react to police canines.
“We need more people stepping forward and being nice to us,” Carroll Township police Chief Paul Brand said.
Monongahela police Officer Bill Fusco said the gifts were much appreciated.
“It makes us love our jobs even more,” Fusco said.