'Absolutely heartbreaking': Mourners honor slain McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski

Brittany Weaver of Monessen broke down in tears Sunday afternoon en route to pay her respects to slain McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski.

Sluganski, 32, of McKees­port was killed in the line of duty Feb. 6 while responding to a domestic/ mental health incident in the city.

Weaver, 33, worked with Sluganski for several years when she was a 911 dispatcher and he was a Charleroi police officer.

“He was just one of the most genuinely good dudes,” she said. “He always made the shifts exciting, and he was so nice to talk to. It didn’t matter who you were, he always treated everyone the same and always tried to get you to laugh.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking. You have to show your support.”

A two-day funeral viewing commenced at noon Sunday, with hundreds of people lining up outside John F. Slater Funeral Home in Brentwood.

Allegheny County Police handled traffic and monitored visitors along Brownsville Road to accommodate the thousands of mourners that are expected.

Mourners line up Sunday in Brentwood to pay their respects to fallen McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski.⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/0T0K0lheYs

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) February 12, 2023

Four school bus shuttles transported people to and from the funeral home for visitation.

Tom Schubert of Baldwin didn’t know Sluganski but knows some of his family members.

Schubert utilized the shuttle service departing from Route 51, about a mile from the funeral home.

“It’s just a terrible thing that’s happened,” Schubert said. “Leaving a little daughter — it’s just terrible. We’re really reeling from this.”

Evan Trexler of West Mifflin is one of four bus drivers providing shuttle transport until 8 p.m. Sunday from Benson Lincoln Mercury car lot on Route 51 for the funeral viewing of slain McKeesport Sean Sluganski at John F. Slater Funeral Home in Brentwood. ⁦⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/pSkRbdrrvR

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) February 12, 2023

Evan Trexler of West Mifflin, a volunteer firefighter with the North Versailles Fire Department, drove one of four shuttle buses Sunday.

Trexler grew up in Brentwood and said he planned to attend the viewing Sunday evening.

For Trexler, hearing the news of Sluganski’s death hit extra close to home.

“Being a first responder, I feel driven to pay my respects,” he said. “It’s tough. It’s happening now more and more. We all run into danger when people are running away from it.”

Jeannine Motycki of Charleroi wiped away tears as she remembered her five-year friendship with Sluganski.

Motycki, a former member of the Charleroi Regional Police Department, described Sluganski as an ‘infectious’ person who made every effort to do his job to the best of his ability.

“He loved his job,” Motycki said. “He was happy, all the time. I cried when I found out. I was mad. I was in disbelief — this hits too close to home.”

Motycki said she attended the viewing for many reasons, the biggest of which was for closure.

“If I don’t go, it’s not real,” Motycki said. “All of my friends that are officers are so devastated, and I’m there to support them 100%.”

Friends Rachel Cellurale of Evans City and Samantha Baldwin of Jefferson Hills gathered in the sunny, unseasonably warm weather after attending the viewing.

They said the line of mourners was impressive, and they took about an hour to pay their respects to the family, friends of both women.

“We just feel devastated for the family. It touches the police force, the local community and also the family and friends. There’s been a nice outpouring of support,” Cellurale said.

The women expressed that they both felt “at a loss” over Sluganski’s death, referencing his killing as the second Pittsburgh-­area police officer slain in the line of duty in a little over a month.

Baldwin, a nurse, previously worked with one of Sluganski’s sisters.

“I think the family is taking it one day at a time. It’s just really sad this continues to happen,” Baldwin said.

Johnathan Morris, 31, is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and related charges stemming from the Feb. 6 shooting on Grandview Avenue. Sluganski was shot and killed during the incident. Another McKeesport officer, Chuck Thomas, was wounded.

Sluganski was the fiance of Chelsea Cancilla and father of Haven Sluganski. He is also survived by his mother, Terri; two sisters; nieces; aunts; and uncles.

Visitation is until 8 p.m. Sunday and from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at John F. Slater Funeral Home, 4201 Brownsville Road.

A funeral Mass for Sluganski will be celebrated at noon Tuesday at St. Albert the Great Church in Baldwin.

The funeral will be invitation-only and will be followed by a private burial.