Peters Township Council honors police officer, longtime resident
Sgt. Matthew Collins is presented his Award of Valor by police Chief Douglas Grimes.
The Rev. Joseph Rodgers with his ceremonial key to Peters Township
Peters Township Council rang in 2017 by honoring a member of the police department and awarding the ceremonial key to the township to a centenarian resident.
During the Jan. 2 council reorganization meeting, police Chief Douglas Grimes presented Sgt. Matthew Collins with an Award of Valor for his role in responding to the Nov. 10 incident that claimed the life of a Canonsburg officer.
Meanwhile, council paid tribute to the Rev. Joseph Rodgers, pastor emeritus of Center Presbyterian Church, nine days prior to his 102nd birthday.
Grimes read Collins’ letter of commendation, stating that he received a dispatch from Washington County 911 indicating that shots had been fired and an officer was down in Canonsburg.
When Collins arrived at the Canonsburg home where the incident was occurring, he provided cover for sergeants John Holt of Cecil Township and Donald Cross of Canonsburg as they attempted to lift the mortally wounded Officer Scott Bashioum into a patrol car. Collins left his position to go around the vehicle, exposing himself to fire, then entered a rear door and helped Bashioum inside.
Another Canonsburg officer, James Saieva, also had been injured, and Collins provided cover as Cross drove Saieva to seek medical attention. Collins established a perimeter and remained at the scene until he was relieved.
Michael Cwiklinski, 47, of Canonsburg and his wife, Dalia Elhefny Sabae, were found dead inside the home. Washington County Coroner S. Timothy Warco ruled Cwiklinski died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and Sabae of a homicide. Before killing himself, Cwiklinski shot and killed Bashioum and wounded Saieva.
“It is for your display of extraordinary courage in an extremely hazardous situation that you are being awarded the Medal of Valor,” Grimes told Collins.
Meanwhile, Rodgers, the reverend who joined Center Church as pastor in 1952, received his honor “in recognition of a life devoted to others and his continued status as a vibrant, cherished member of our community,” according to council’s proclamation. The current pastor, the Rev. Jeff Schooley, invited members of the community to help celebrate at an 11 a.m. service Jan. 8.
As far as council’s reorganization, Frank Arcuri was elected chairman. A member of council since 2006, he is an attorney who previously served as council chairman in 2013.
James Berquist, who also joined council in 2013, was named vice chairman.
Remaining as township solicitor is John Smith of Smith Butz Attorneys at Law. Gateway Engineers was reappointed as consulting engineer.
Traffic Planning and Design Inc. will stay on as traffic engineer, at least for now. The township plans to seek bids on updating its traffic improvement plan, and township manager Paul Lauer has recommended the firm that is awarded the contract also be appointed as traffic engineer.