Donations Pour In For Fallen PA Police Officer Sean Sluganski's Family

PITTSBURGH, PA — Donations are flooding into a GoFundMe page established to aid the family of Sean Sluganski, the McKeesport officer who was shot to death on Monday.

Nearly $110,000 in donations was pledged as of Wednesday morning.

Sluganski, 32, died after responding to a domestic-related disturbance call shortly after noon in the 1400 block of Wilson Street. Sluganski and officer Charles Thomas encountered Johnathan Morris, 31, in the 1300 block of Grandview Avenue where gunfire was exchanged.

Sluganski and Thomas both were shot, Sluganski fatally. Morris has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault,assault of a law enforcement officer and first-degree criminal attempted murder.

Melissa Vargo, a lifelong friend of the family who established the GoFundMe page, painted a poignant portrait of the fallen office.

"Sean was an amazing dad, fiance, brother, son, uncle and friend," she wrote.

"He lit up every room he entered and was sure to have you laughing in no time. He was one of the kindest people you could ever meet and family meant everything to him. He leaves behind his beautiful 1-year-old daughter Haven and his loving fiance, Chelsea."

Vargo said the money being raised will go directly to Chelsea and Haven and establish a future college fund.

Also paying tribute to Sluganski was Baldwin-Whitehall School District Superintendent Randal Lutz. Sluganski was a 2009 graduate of the high school.

"I know that our entire District community will be holding Sean’s memory close as we offer our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time," Lutz wrote on the district's Facebook page.

"In honor of Sean’s life’s work to serve and protect our region, please let us also acknowledge the need for increased access to mental health services and support, as Sean’s untimely passing is directly related to the dangers created by untreated public mental health concerns.

"By making it easier for everyone to acquire the help they need, we will make our streets and communities safer for all, and we will also greatly reduce the risk to those like Sean who so proudly dedicate their lives to serving and protecting others."