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Family keeps memory alive of Canton police officer killed in the line of duty in 1996

Benjamin Duer, The Repository
·2 min read
Christopher Roshong, center, and Jennifer Giavasis, right, the brother and sister of Brian Roshong, recognizes Michaela Bleau who was one of several new police officers to receive $200 from the Brian C. Roshong Memorial Fund in Canton on Thursday night.
Christopher Roshong, center, and Jennifer Giavasis, right, the brother and sister of Brian Roshong, recognizes Michaela Bleau who was one of several new police officers to receive $200 from the Brian C. Roshong Memorial Fund in Canton on Thursday night.

CANTON – Brian Roshong would still be in law enforcement, likely in a leadership position.

"He was extremely dedicated and he would've stayed the course," said his older brother Christopher. "I have no doubt."

Their sister Jennifer Giavasis agreed.

Roshong, a Canton police officer, died July 22, 1996, from gunshot wounds he sustained two days earlier during a foot chase with a 22-year-old suspect. He was 24.

Roshong, an Army veteran, had been on the force for two months after a year in Cambridge. He was the youngest of four children in the Roshong family. The fourth sibling is Jeffrey Roshong.

Brian C. Roshong, a Canton police officer, was killed in the line of duty on July 22, 1996, at the age of 24. He also served in the U.S. Army.
Brian C. Roshong, a Canton police officer, was killed in the line of duty on July 22, 1996, at the age of 24. He also served in the U.S. Army.

How Brian Roshong's family is keeping his name alive

Nearly 26 years later, his family still keeps his name and memory alive with regular donations to new Canton police officers to help them defray some equipment costs through a memorial fund.

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They make these presentations after every new class of officers is added.

The latest presentation came Thursday night at the Fraternal Order of Police McKinley Lodge No. 2 near downtown Canton. About 60 members attended the event.

Jennifer Giavasis shares the last photo taken with her brother Brian Roshong, a Canton police officer, at her son Kevin Quinn's baptism in May 1996. Roshong, who was Kevin's godfather, died two months later in the line of duty.
Jennifer Giavasis shares the last photo taken with her brother Brian Roshong, a Canton police officer, at her son Kevin Quinn's baptism in May 1996. Roshong, who was Kevin's godfather, died two months later in the line of duty.

Christopher and Jennifer Roshong presented nine new officers with $200 checks.

The fund was established by their parents David and Teresa Roshong with support from other law enforcement personnel and community members through the Stark Community Foundation. David Roshong died in 2017.

Christopher Roshong, fourth from left, poses Thursday with some of the new police officers who each received $200 from the Brian C. Roshong Memorial Fund in Canton. From left are: Bryanna Kaczmar-Pauloski, Michael Bartel, Amanda Alberta, Roshong, Michaela Bleau, Caleb Bodjanac, Anthony Loparo, and Allison Colecchi. Christopher Roshong is Brian's brother.

How much has Brian Roshong's family given to police officers?

The Roshong fund has donated nearly $30,000 to 140 officers over the last 25 plus years.

"The whole reason for (the fund) was to turn a negative into a positive," Christopher Roshong, 57, said. "But every time we do it, it's emotional and somewhat cathartic because it brings back all those memories."

Added 51-year-old Jennifer Giavasis: "It's definitely rewarding to see how we can contribute and give back to the other officers. But it also tugs at your heart a little bit."

The nine officers presented the Roshong family with a thank you card after the presentation.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com

Follow on Twitter @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Family of Brian Roshong donates money to new Canton police officers