Vigil held for slain McKeesport Officer Sean Sluganski, injured officer recovering

McKeesport community members and residents from surrounding towns joined in solace and a surprise celebration during a vigil for a fallen city police officer.

More than 200 people packed the blue pavilion at Renziehausen Park on Wednesday night in remembrance of Officer Sean Sluganski.

“This devastating tragedy to our city has been something like you can’t even imagine,” Mayor Michael Cherepko said at the evening’s onset. “Not just from a personal standpoint, but from these officers.

“All of our officers, for that matter, work each and every day to serve and protect this community. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times: There’s no such thing as an ordinary typical call anymore. With all the issues that face not just this community, but throughout the world, the mental health issues and beyond, there’s not a typical call.”

The tragic call

Sluganski, 32, of McKeesport was killed in the line of duty Monday afternoon while responding to a domestic incident along Wilson Avenue.

He and Officer Chuck Thomas Jr., 35, were dispatched for a mental health check of Johnathan Jermia Morris, 31.

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Morris did not respond to officers attempting to help and began walking away from them along the city streets, according to the Allegheny County Police.

Morris opened fire on the officers as they attempted to make contact along the 1300 block of Grandview Avenue. Sluganski was fatally wounded and died at UPMC McKeesport hospital.

Thomas was also injured and continues to recover.

Morris also shot at another McKeesport officer a few blocks away.

That officer, who was not injured, returned fire and struck Morris. Morris was taken to a hospital and faces a variety of charges, including homicide and aggravated assault.

The vigil, cheers, standing ovation

The pavilion was decorated with blue and black ribbons and balloons. A black wreath with Sluganski’s photo was mounted on a tripod with a sign under it that read “Support Our Police.”

Folks held lit, white candles and gathered closely for warmth as temperatures dipped into the 30s.

The crowd erupted in celebration after hearing Thomas made it to the vigil.

He walked up to the front where the guest speakers stood, his left arm in a black sling and a lit candle in his right hand.

He hugged McKeesport Police Chief Adam Alfer and spoke with many attendees after the vigil. He declined to speak during the ceremony and with reporters afterward.

Alfer brought all active duty officers in attendance to the front of the pavilion.

The crowd gave them standing ovation with some folks shouting, “Thank you.”

“These are the men and women protecting these streets every night,” Alfer said.

He brought the focus back to the fallen officer.

“Sean’s going to be in our memories forever,” Alfer said. “It’s tough. You guys can’t even imagine what we’re going through right now. We’re still … we’re still trying to get through this ourselves.”

Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and state police are handling McKeesport calls while the department mourns.

“The support from the community is unbelievable,” Alfer said after the vigil. “The law enforcement community support is unbelievable. It’s definitely helping. Just continue prayers from everybody on our department and for the Sluganski family and Officer Thomas. That would be great continued support.

“I was with Chuck that night and it’s a miracle (he survived). I’m just thankful that he’s able to be here. It’s very unfortunate that we lost a good officer.”

Sluganski remembered

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

Cherepko talked about how he and others have spent time consoling the family, and what a great man and officer Sluganski was.

“Officer Sluganski is one of the most incredible young men I’ve ever met in my life,” Cherpko said. “Spending so much time with his family the last couple days is without question one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

“For them to lose a loved one, and the gut-wrenching pain that they’re experiencing, but to still, in one aspect, be positive because they know that their son, their fiancé, their brother was doing what he loved in working with the finest police officers that he’s ever had the opportunity to work with.”

The Rev. Terry O’Connor of Mary, Mother of God Parish brought Thomas back to the front to lead a prayer for his healing.

Those in attendance stretched out their right arms in support.

“We just thank you that he’s on the road to recovery,” O’Connor prayed. “We know that you have a special plan for his life as you do Sean’s. Sean is resting in eternity. He’s looking down on us. Please bless Officer Thomas’ family. May he make a full and speedy recovery.”

Turnout astounds organizer

The vigil was organized by McKeesport resident Jeff Anderson, founder of the nonprofit Mentoring Village.

“I just thought it was very important to get everyone here together to support our local police department and show the guys that we have their back,” Anderson said. “I couldn’t be more happier with the turnout. I definitely did not expect this.”

Keith Murphy, lifelong McKeesport resident and president of the Healthy Village Learning Institute, said he was not surprised at the turnout.

“McKeesporters love McKeesport,” he said. “We love this place. I’ve had every expectation to see this crowd here tonight because I know we love McKeesport, and we are going to support the folks in McKeesport.

”I’ve been fielding calls throughout the United States, and even in Ghana, because they know how much I love McKeesport, or they have been to McKeesport and seen how lovely the people are here.

“This (shooting) was not an expected incident for us, nor can it be normal.

“When we think about the processes that we have to go through to heal, that is going to take a communal collective effort that everyone in this (pavilion) needs to take a role in so we can no longer normalize the stuff that happens, and next week we’re back to regular.

”Let’s not be ‘regulars’ no more. Let’s fight till the end to make sure that we don’t be regular about this.”

State Sen. James Brewster, former McKeesport mayor, said he believes the city is strong and will become even better in response to the tragic loss of Sluganski.

“Don’t ever give up on your city because these men and women haven’t given up on it,” Brewster said referencing the police department. “They are our first defense of everything that goes on.”

Brewster talked about the tough screening process to become a McKeesport officer and how the Sluganski should be proud of his service.

“If you think that it’s easy to come in and get a job as an officer, it really isn’t,” Brewster said.

People outside the pavilion were selling signs that read “We Support Our Police” and McKeesport Police sweatshirts to raise money for Sluganski’s family.

Cherepko said the city is working with the Fraternal Order of Police and Teamsters 205 to set up some kind of fund for the family.

The Rev. William Meekins of McKeesport Area Shared Ministry United Methodist Church offered what was to be a closing prayer. Attendees said other prayers and quoted Psalms after the reverend prayed.

Other efforts of support

The vigil was just one part of the community coming together Wednesday.

Signs and billboards, like the one at Eat n’ Park on Lysle Boulevard, memorialized Sluganski. Others had decorated a utility pole near where the 32-year-old officer was shot with flowers, blue-and-white ribbon and a sign with a positive message.

“Your life was a blessing and your memory a treasure,” the sign read. “You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.”

Earlier Wednesday, McKeesport resident Elaine Pennick said crime has gotten out of hand in the Mon Valley city.

“I’ve been here 70 years and I’ve never seen anything like this going on,” said Pennick, as she walked near McKeesport’s once-thriving downtown area. “That officer got killed — it’s not right. We have to pull out love for each other, not reach for a gun.”

“I can’t understand why they don’t take the guns off the streets,” lamented John Brady, a Mt. Washington native who has lived in McKeesport for about four years, as he waited for a bus. “I had to take a test to get into college. You should have to take a test to get a gun.”

Soleh Staton, a young McKeesport resident hoping to one day open her own hair salon, felt crime was not as bad as others describe it. But she was still upset by Sluganski’s death.

“It’s sad all the way around,” Staton said. “There’s really no other words to describe it.”

Anderson said Mentoring Village was working on other ways to help support Sluganski’s family. Those who want to help can call 412-419-9553.