Hundreds of law enforcement officers lay fallen McKeesport Police Officer Sean Sluganski to rest
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The McKeesport community came together Tuesday to say a final farewell to fallen police officer Sean Sluganski, who was killed in the line of duty.
Just over one week ago, Officer Sluganski was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic incident in McKeesport.
Another officer, Chuck Thomas, was shot and wounded during the incident.
In the wake of Officer Sluganski's tragic death, the McKeesport community has come together to heal and now say a final farewell to the 32-year-old hometown hero who protected and served the tight-knit Mon Valley community.
The funeral Mass began at 12 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Church in Baldwin Borough, followed by a procession through the City of McKeesport. Officer Sluganski's interment was held at the Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Pleasant Hills.
Photo Gallery: Fallen officer laid to rest
Bishop David Zubik presided over an emotional funeral Mass on Tuesday, as fallen McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski, killed in the line of duty, was laid to rest.
Click here for a look at some photos from the somber and emotional day.
'We come together in the worst of times'
The McKeesport community said its final goodbyes to Officer Sean Sluganski.
The procession for Sluganksi featured more than 100 cars from friends, family and officers from all across the region. It took about an hour for all of them to pass down Lysle Boulevard, as the body of Sluganski made one final trip around the city he served.
"I'm very grateful for the police. Our police department is fantastic," Melissa Ernst of McKeesport said.
"This hurts the city of McKeesport. We're a close net city, small city," Brandi Good of McKeesport said.
On the sidewalks, some waved American flags. Others had signs offering thanks while many stood by in solemn reverence. It was a chance for the community to begin healing.
"That's what McKeesport is known for, we come together in the worst of times," Ernst said.
The procession was long enough that as Sluganski's body left McKeesport, officers were still crossing into the Mon Valley community. The procession made a large loop around McKeesport before heading to the cemetery.
"Respect for the officers. Trust your officers, believe in your officers. You have to be there for them," Ashley Poston of McKeesport said.
Poston sat with her three children Tuesday. She has friends who protect and serve and said this last week has been a nightmare.
"I've been sick to my stomach since it happened, since I go the phone call," Poston said.
Another challenge was explaining the meaning of today to her young children. She wanted them to pay their respects to someone who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"They think it's a parade. I keep trying to tell them it's a procession. It's not a parade. They're showing respect to our officers and our community," Poston said.
After leaving McKeesport, the procession went to Jefferson Memorial in Pleasant Hills for Sluganski's final resting place.
About 1,000 officers participate in procession
Law enforcement from all over gathered to honor fallen McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski and to support his family and colleagues.
The decals on the vehicles show the breadth of departments that gathered to join the procession to Sluganski's funeral Tuesday. They met at PNC Park and Century Three Mall lots before setting off.
Southern Chester County Regional Officer Ray Sullivan drove five hours from near the Delaware border while his partner came on his day off.
"We all deal with the same things day in and out. Our families go through the same things. So if one's affected, it feels like we're all affected," Sullivan said.
Many of the departments were recently in the Pittsburgh area for Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire's funeral and are again reminded of the risks they each take just going to work.
Southern Armstrong Regional Police Officer Chad Bowman said, "We all get out of bed every day knowing that it could happen but still put on the uniform and come and serve and protect our communities."
Whether they're from Canonsburg, Green County, Connellsville, the Naval Reactors protective force or Altoona, each officer said they are a brotherhood that will do whatever it takes to support the family of their fallen brother.
Aspinwall's Police Chief David Nemec said, "I think all of the officers here have heavy hearts today, especially it being Valentine's Day, too. It's supposed to be a day of love, and this is where our brothers are right now, showing respect for one of our fallen."
It's estimated 800 to 1,000 officers came for the procession honoring Sluganski.
Officer Sluganski's partner: 'He always had my back'
BALDWIN (KDKA) -- Officer Sean Sluganski was remembered at Tuesday's funeral Mass with laughs, smiles, fond memories and tears. But, most of all, he was remembered as a hero.
The fallen McKeesport officer was eulogized by his sister, his girlfriend, his best friend and his partner, who was wounded in the same shooting that took Sluganski's life.
Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese Bishop David Zubik presided over the Mass and the Blessed Trinity Choir performed with Cmdr. Ricky Manning.
Fr. Stephen Kresak delivered the Homily during the Mass, saying Officer Sluganski's friends told him that the fallen officer had a true love for his job, a kindhearted spirit and a great sense of humor.
Officer Sluganski leaves behind his girlfriend, Chelsea, and their young daughter, Haven.
"He brought the brightest light to every dark corner of my life and gave me everything I could have ever wanted, and our family, and our daughter," Chelsea Cancilla, Sluganski's girlfriend, said. "I feel like the luckiest person to be loved by him. Not a day will pass when she isn't reminded of who he was. That he left this world doing exactly what he loved and believed in it so much. That he left a hero, not only to us, but everyone he met."
Cancilla said her partner will continue to be a role model for their daughter as she grows up.
Officer Sluganski also had two loving sisters, Sarah and Shela. He and Shela were only 16 months apart in age and she spoke on behalf of the family.
She remembered her brother as a guy who "cooked a mean steak" on the grill.
She said one day while they were making family dinner, she asked him why he couldn't do something else with his life. She said he told her that if anything ever happened to him, she would know what to do.
"When Sean told me that something was going to be fine, I believed him without hesitation," Shela said.
She said they will miss his hugs the most, but she will keep his memory alive for his daughter and for their other young niece.
"You rest now Sean; we got this, and I'll see you when I see you," she said.
Sluganski's best friend and his partner also remembered him during the Mass. To his friends, he was known as "Slug."
Officer Frank Durante, Sluganski's training officer in McKeesport, spoke of the bond his own son formed with Officer Sluganski. He said they would play video games and talk on the phone.
"I would give anything in the world to hear you tell my son you love him one more time," Officer Durante said. "Thank you for being part of his life."
Officer Durante said Sluganski became part of their family.
Officer Charles Thomas, who was wounded on the same shooting that took Sluganski's life, remembered him in an emotional eulogy.
"I was with Slug and my life has been shattered ever since," Officer Thomas said.
Officer Thomas said his partner was a great man and a great son, and he is heartbroken to lose a friend.
"He always had my back," Officer Thomas said. "We ran through a lot of doors together. I couldn't have had a better partner. He'll forever be my hero."
Before his burial, the funeral procession will pass by the McKeesport police station where Officer Sluganski's police cruiser sits draped in bunting. Then, they will proceed to Jefferson Memorial Cemetery where he will be laid to rest.
Moving tributes to Officer Sluganski
Here is a look at some of the tributes to fallen McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski.
Firefighters with Glassport and White Oak raise the flag for Officer Sluganski's procession in McKeesport.
The car of McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski sits outside the police station today.
Fellow officers travel together to say goodbye to Officer Sluganski
Many police officers are carrying heavy hearts today.
Several departments from all over the region gathered on the North Shore to drive to Officer Sean Sluganski's funeral together.
Departments from Blairsville to Armstrong met outside Acrisure Stadium at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Officers said they want to show their support and respect for Sluganski, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Officers also mentioned how they were just here about a month ago for Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed in the line of duty.
Now, they're feeling that pain all over again.
"I've been here 25 years and been to too many of their funerals, and it's just, it doesn't change. You feel the same way. You feel the same sadness, and it doesn't matter who you are — whether you're a chief or patrolman, it doesn't matter. It all feels the same," Aspinwall Police Chief David Nemec said.
"Our heart goes out for anyone who loses their life in this career field. It's good to see everyone getting together as a brotherhood," Southern Armstrong Regional Officer Chad Bowman added.
These police officers want Sluganski's loved ones to know they are here for them and that they will always be part of their family.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers gather for final goodbye
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Hundreds of law enforcement officers and mourners have gathered for the funeral of fallen McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski.
His funeral is taking place at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Baldwin.
Bagpipers stood outside the church as Officer Sluganski's casket was brought out of the hearse. Then, mourners began filing in ahead of the Mass.
State police pay tribute to Officer Sluganski
State police will be one of the many law enforcement organizations represented at Officer Sluganski's funeral.
They've posted this tribute to Twitter.
"It is an honor and a privilege to pay our respects to McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski and his family today and to remember and reflect upon his ultimate sacrifice for his community."
Solemn day across Western Pa. as Officer Sluganski is laid to rest
There are signs of support all over the area for fallen McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski. Here are a few photos from the community.
Over on the North Shore, police and law enforcement began gathering early in the morning for the procession.
State trooper injured in accident on his way to the funeral
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A state trooper was injured in an accident on his way to Officer Sluganski's funeral on Tuesday morning, Pennsylvania state police said.
The trooper was driving his motorcycle when he was clipped by a vehicle on Route 28 at the 40th Street Bridge in Millvale, state police said. The trooper went down after being swiped.
He was taken to a local hospital to be checked over, but is expected to be okay.
Stay with KDKA-TV and KDKA.com for updates to this developing story as they become available.
Traffic disruptions expected due to funeral procession
Police officers from numerous departments to convene on Pittsburgh area for funeral mass and procession
School districts making schedule adjustments for Tuesday's funeral plans
School districts in the Mon Valley and South Hills will be making adjustments to their learning plans today to accomodate the funeral of Officer Sluganski.
The McKeesport Area School District is utilizing remote learning in order to give the community a chance to pay their respects.
Nearby South Allegheny School District will also go remote due to anticipated traffic delays and interruptions.
Lastly, the Baldwin-Whitehall School District will learn remotely to avoid transporting students during the funeral and procession throughout the area where the mass is being held.