PA Chiefs_Bulletin Winter_2016

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12 | PA CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION | BULLETIN | WINTER 2016
Chief James Rudolph Ersher,
Sr. 53, of Baden, passed away
unexpectedly on Tuesday,
November 8, 2016. Born July 27,
1963, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he served
his country during peacetime
with the military police, U.S.
Army in Germany. He had an
extensive law enforcement career
beginning in 1986, where he served
as a patrolman with the Sewickley
Police Department until he was
selected to be Chief of Police in 2007, until his untimely
death. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police,
Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, was actively
involved in the Sewickley Boro D.A.R.E.
program, Baden Legion, and the Sewickley
Masonic Lodge #630. His passion in life was
spending time with his family especially at
his hunting camp up north.
HEROES BEHIND THE BADGE
Canonsburg officer Scott
Bashioum will be remembered
for his service, both to the
community as a police officer
and to the country as a veteran.
On November 10, 2016, Officer
Bashioum was killed on duty
while responding to a domestic
violence incident. His partner,
Jim Saieva Jr., was shot and
injured. Bashioum is the 122nd
line of duty death this year and
the 56th by intentional gunfire. He is the third officer
killed in Pennsylvania this year.
Hundreds of officers from across Pennsylvania and
beyond joined the procession, dozens of officers stood
outside when the church reached capacity, and the
service was broadcast over loudspeaker for those outside.
Scott was a graduate of Burgettstown High School.
After High School, he joined the Air Force and served
during the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring
Freedom. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after
29 years of service. Officer Bashioum was a seven-
year veteran working with the Canonsburg Police
Department, who also served as Assistant Chief at
the Slovan Fire Department, Company 18 and earned
lifetime membership honors. Scctt was a Free Mason
at Washington Lodge 164. He was a community man,
always giving and lending a hand to whoever was in need.
He was a mentor to many of his comrades throughout
his years of service to his county. He was an avid blood
donor at the local blood bank. Even after his time here
on earth, he was able to participate in the Center for
Organ Recovery and Education program, as he was an
organ donor.
Original article posted by November 9, 2016.
Original article posted by Observer-Reporter, Washington County News. November 16, 2016.
PLEASE JOIN US IN HONORING AND
REMEMBERING OUR DEPARTED COLLEAGUES.