Penguins Will Honor Fallen Hero Scott Bashioum Before Upcoming Game
Officer Scott Bashioum is to be honored by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Penguins Will Honor Fallen Hero Scott Bashioum Before Upcoming Game
The Pittsburgh Penguins plan to honor fallen hero, Officer Scott Bashioum before Monday’s game at PPG Paints Arena against the New York Rangers.
The Penguins announced through their website that the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation, along with other local police officers, will hold a collection to benefit the family of the fallen officer. The Penguins will begin the collection with a donation of $10,000.
Officer Bashioum was ambushed and murdered on November 10th after responding to a domestic call. A second responding officer, James Saieva, was also shot but thankfully survived. The assailant was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooter also reportedly murdered his pregnant, estranged wife who had obtained a protection from abuse order against him.
“Officer Bashioum, a seven year veteran of the Canonsburg Police Department, and a veteran who served during the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom, was killed in the line of duty on Thursday, November 10 while protecting and serving his community. Officer Bashioum is survived by his wife and four children”, the Penguins said it their statement- a recognition of the hero’s dedication and sacrifice.
We’re witnessing a time when professional athletes in other sports, with the support of their respective franchises, choose to dishonor our nation, to “protest” in support of a baseless and dangerous anti-police narrative. It’s heartening to see teams, players and fans like those in the NHL- and the Pittsburgh Penguins in particular- stand up and recognize the sacrifices of law enforcement in the face of those who do not.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Bashioum, who put himself in harm’s way to protect the Canonsburg community,” Dave Soltesz, President of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation said in the statement. “The Penguins are proud to support this collection and to help his family, fellow officers and friends during this difficult time.”
On the night following the attack, the Penguins immediately responded. They honored the fallen hero as players and fans bowed their heads in a somber moment of silence prior to the singing of the National Anthem.
Officers from area departments will be posted at all entrances to the arena on Monday night to accept donations from the incoming fans. All proceeds will go to the Scott Bashioum Memorial Fund to help support those he left behind; Officer Bashioum’s wife and four children, whose lives will never be their same.
The Penguins provided additional information for those wishing to contribute:
“The Scott Bashioum Memorial Fund has been established for the Bashioum family, at Washington Financial in Washington, Pa. All of the bank’s branches will accept donations. For those not attending Monday’s game, donations may be dropped off or mailed to any of the bank’s branches. Checks should be made payable to the OFFICER SCOTT BASHIOUM CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL FUND”.
Donations can also be made directly on the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation website at www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org/event/officer-scott-bashioum/
