0 Flags at half-staff for officer killed in high-speed chase

PERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Law enforcement agencies across the country are mourning the death of a local officer killed in a high-speed chase.

Condolences continue to pour in for Perryopolis Officer Richard Champion, who was killed during a high-speed pursuit of a vehicle driving erratically.

Police said a sport-utility vehicle T-boned Champion's cruiser as he chased the speeding vehicle on Route 51 Sunday afternoon. Champion died after the cruiser caught fire.

“Officer Champion died protecting this community,” said Perryopolis police Chief Roger Beadling.

Channel 11’s Amy Marcinkiewicz reported that witnesses attempted to rescue Champion from the burning car, but were unsuccessful.

“Our heart goes out to the family. It’s a definite tragedy,” said Lt. Jeff Fisher.

The SUV driver, Andy Bohatch, is at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition. Bohatch is the co-owner of Big Barn Country Store and Deli in Perry Township.

Champion, a part-time officer in Perryopolis for eight months, leaves behind a wife and 16-month-old son.

“He always talked about his wife and his child, Tanner. They were the love of his life, and we loved him just as much,” Beadling said.

Champion, 36, was an Iraq War veteran.

“He did two tours of duty in Afghanistan. I was honored to have him work for my department,” said Beadling.

On Monday, Gov. Tom Corbett ordered flags at the state Capitol and two western Pennsylvania counties to be flown at half-staff to honor Champion.

The flags at state facilities in Fayette and Westmoreland counties will also be lowered until sunset the day that Champion is buried.

The viewing is Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the McCracken Funeral Home on East Main Street in Ligonier.

The funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Ligonier on West Main Street Friday at 11 a.m.

The burial will be at Snowball Hill Cemetery.

The family is asking any military that plans on attending to meet at the church at 8:30 a.m.