Police plan tribute to fallen brother
Police, family and friends will say goodbye to a Perryopolis police officer killed in the line of duty at a funeral service today in Ligonier.
Several hundred police officers are expected to attend the service for Richard Champion at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church on West Main Street.
Champion, of Ligonier, died Sunday following a two-vehicle crash just before 1:15 p.m. on Route 51 near Star Junction.
Police said Champion’s cruiser had its emergency lights and siren activated when it collided with a sports-utility vehicle near Kasunic’s office and the Big Barn Country Store and Deli, a local store on Route 51.
State police said the driver of the second vehicle, Andrew V. Bohatch Jr., 59, of Uniontown, sustained major injuries and was hospitalized. He remains at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Hundreds of local police officers, first responders among others are poised to attend the funeral.
State police from Uniontown station are sending a contingent.
“It is very important to remember the sacrifice of a fellow officer,” said Lt. Jeff Fisher, state police, who will be attending the funeral.
Public Information Officer Susan Kozak-Griffith, Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, said there will be a final call today for Champion over Fayette 911 radio airwaves. She said a Fayette 911 dispatcher will say “Fayette County to Perryopolis badge 34” – Champion’s badge number. Griffith said a Perryopolis police officer will advise Fayette 911 that Champion is off duty.
Then there will be a brief announcement that Champion died in the line of service followed by a moment of silence.
“This is a touching tribute because you have a whole circle of people who are affected from dispatchers to police to family and friends,” Griffith said. “This gives everyone a chance in their own way to pay their respects.”
Paul Fry, Ligonier director of public works, said as of noon on Thursday, more than 200 police cars and other first responder vehicles from Fayette County have confirmed that they will attend the service. He said when considering police from across the state who will be attending the service, there may be between 300 to 1,000 police cars in the borough for the funeral.
Fry described Ligonier as a small town that is about a half mile wide and a mile long with a population of 1,573 people. Applying math to the borough’s funeral planning, he said, each police car is about 25 feet long – so they expect about 25,000 feet or about five miles worth of cars to converge on the town.
Fry said local churches will open their community rooms to officers. The Veterans of Foreign Wars post and American Legion have opened up their kitchens, while local schools and Young Men’s Christian Association will be providing additional space.
“It’s tough,” he said. “We’ve had three days to prepare. But maybe it’s a small town mentality, but everyone here has opened up their doors and hearts to help when needed. We’ve never dealt with a funeral this massive before, but we’re ready and prepared.”
Champion leaves behind a 16-month-old son and wife, Dawn.
Fry said most folks are familiar with how Champion, a North Carolinian, married Dawn, who grew up in the Ligonier area.
“The whole town is supportive and shares their grief,” Fry said.
Fry said the borough is trying to arrange video and photos to preserve the moment for the family, particularly Champion’s son.
“We’re going to give all that to the family,” he said. “By preserving these memories, when his son grows up, he will understand what the community did for his father; how much he meant to so many people.”
Preparations and more have a noble goal in mind.
“What we’re trying to do for the grieving family is to leave them with a memory that they will (cherish) forever,” Fry said.
A public procession will take place after the funeral service from Holy Trinity to Snowball Hill Cemetery on Route 381 in Cook Township. The burial will be private.
According to Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, persons wishing to make donations to Champion’s family can mail checks made payable to WPPBF c/o Officer Champion to:
Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation
Washington Financial
3616 Washington Rd
McMurray, PA 15317
Checks can also be dropped off at the J Paul McCracken Funeral Home 144 E. Main St. Ligonier, PA