McKeesport officers gather amid tragedy
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Members of McKeesport’s police force are still grappling with the shooting of two officers Monday in the city’s Grandview neighborhood.
Police Officer Sean Sluganski died as a result of the shooting incident near St. Mary’s Cemetery. Officer Chuck Thomas was also shot and is recovering.
On Friday, thanks to Muddy Waterz Bar & Grill on East Smithfield Street in Elizabeth Township, a group of around 20 officers got to enjoy a meal and think about something other than the upcoming funeral for their late friend and fellow officer.
As they sat together in the dining room, members of the city police force were occasionally approached by customers who wanted to shake their hands, thank them for their service and express condolences on the loss of Sluganski.
Thomas, wearing a sling on his arm and bandages on his face and neck where a bullet entered and exited his body, was among the officers who enjoyed the fellowship.
Wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy-style hat with the thin blue line around it, Thomas arrived a little late and walked into the restaurant wearing a red and blue shirt that read “McKeesport police strong.”
He was met with smiles and good-natured ribbing about being late.
“Hey, Texas toast,” one of his fellow officers called out with a laugh.
Thomas laughed and then immediately apologized for being late.
After exchanging a few jokes about his lateness, another one of Thomas’ fellow officers, in a warm voice, simply said, “You’re allowed to be late, Chuck. You’re allowed to be late.”
Every officer around the room offered a handshake and a hug to Thomas, as their eyes and smiles revealed a sense of relief to see him standing among them.
Thomas is grateful for the love of his fellow officers, and while his heart is full from the support he and the police department have received since Monday’s incident, Thomas said he’s not yet ready to talk publicly about the shooting or the impact that it’s had.
While they could occasionally be heard making mention of plans for Sluganski’s funeral, the other officers who sat down to a meal Friday respectfully said they’re also not ready to speak on the shooting and the impact it’s had on them.
A couple of officers did express the gratitude they feel for the McKeesport and Mon Valley community during an unimaginable time.
“It’s a nice gesture,” Eastman said of the meal offered to first responders by Muddy Waterz.
“It is a kind gesture. It really is. They didn’t have to do it,” Lt. Terry Brownfield said in agreement, adding that he was grateful for the staff who waited tables with a smile and a warm heart on Friday.
“The support all over has been overwhelming,” Eastman said, as Brownfield interjected to say the support from the community has been “extra overwhelming.”
Eastman said he was grateful for the camaraderie he felt joking and talking with his co-workers over a big meal.
Thankful to police
In the days following the shooting, Muddy Waterz owner Heather Cope and her staff felt compelled to show their gratitude to area first responders for putting their lives on the line to make sure others are safe.
“Due to the horrific events that took place in our neighboring community, we would like to Back the Blue and our first responders,” read a Muddy Waterz Facebook post a few days ago. “We will be offering all police, firefighters and EMTs a free breakfast lunch or dinner.”
Any local first responder has been welcome to stop in, and today is the last day the bar and restaurant will be offering the free meals.
Several other area businesses are also offering initiatives to support local first responders, many of which include fundraising events.
Cope said she didn’t want recognition for the free meals, adding that Muddy Waterz was offering them simply to show gratitude for first responders and to let them know that the community stands with them.
On Friday, the officers were allowed to choose anything on the menu, and drinks were covered by a donation from Ken Filotei of McKeesport and a local company, MTMI.
Cope’s employees are proud to see their workplace doing its part to care for local cops, firefighters and EMTs.
Rachel Seger said giving the free meals to first responders has been “a kind gesture as our neighboring communities and community members are struggling and are going through what they’re going through.”
She said the first responders who have come through the bar and restaurant this week have been grateful.
Brittany Corigliano, the lead server for the group of officers Friday, is a friend of Thomas.
“He’s a good person,” she said, adding that the experience of serving the cops on Friday “means everything” to her.
“It’s a great thing to be able to do something,” Seger said.
Seger said she “can’t imagine and wouldn’t want to imagine” what members of the police force are going through this week, and hopes being together in the dining room at Muddy Waterz provided “a change of scenery and maybe some laughs with everything that they’ve been going through.”
