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Local memorial service honors fallen officer

By Miles Layton jmlayton@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

Police, family, friends the public are invited to attend a memorial service for a Perryopolis police officer who was killed in the line of duty.

Officer Richard Champion, of Ligonier, died Dec. 14 following a two-vehicle crash just before 1:15 p.m. on Route 51 near Star Junction.

Organized by the Perryopolis Ministerium, the service will start at 3 p.m. Sunday at the St. John the Baptist Parish at 3332 Pittsburgh Road, Perryopolis. The entire community is invited to gather in prayer, reflection and sadness at our loss.

Officer Champion will be remembered by his fellow lawmen and lawwomen as a great soldier,” said Capt. Steven Kontaxes, Perryopolis police Department. “Officer Champion served two tours of duty in Iraq and later became a soldier of the law serving his community. Like any soldier, Officer Champion had full knowledge that the stakes are high if it be the battlefield of Iraq or the front lines of patrol at home.

He died the death of a good soldier and leaves behind a legacy of honor and service. We will always remember him. New recruit Police officers will be told about him and about his life of service to the community. His life and sacrifice will always be appreciated.”

Perryopolis police Officer Jesse Keller added, “It is a sad time for our department and the community.”

State 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.

The driver of the second vehicle, Andrew V. Bohatch Jr., 59, of Uniontown, sustained major injuries and died less than a week after the crash on Dec. 19 at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Champion, 35, of Ligonier in Westmoreland County, was a part-time police officer with the borough. He was hired in March, and had completed his probationary period with the department in October.

The churches in the ministerium and their representatives are: Fayette City United Methodist Church, Rev. Vann Walchock; Harmony Presbyterian Church, Rev. Glenn Hart; Perryopolis Baptist Church; Perryopolis First Christian Church, Pastor Melissa Snyder; Perryopolis United Methodist Church, Pastor Carol Bergman; St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Anthony W. Ditto, pastor; St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, Rev. Robert Halus; and Star Junction Baptist Church.

Champion is survived by his wife, Dawn, and their 16-month-old son, Tanner. Donations to benefit the family are being accepted at the participating churches and will be taken at the Sunday service. Checks are to be made payable to the Perryopolis Ministerium.

Groups that have confirmed their attendance as of Monday include the Perryopolis Police Department, the Perry Twp. Volunteer Fire Department, Perryopolis Borough Council and Mayor Tim Smith and the Perryopolis Knights of Columbus 4427.

Handicap parking is available.

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