Terry Seilhamer, chief of Jackson Township police, has been an officer for 49 years. In that time, he has seen many unfortunate events in the field.

“I’ve been to way too many police funerals,” he said.

In light of recent violence against police officers in the Pittsburgh region, local law enforcement officials are reflecting on the dangers of the job and how they prepare for such events.

“It definitely affects us all in different ways,” said Josh Black, public information officer for Butler state police Troop D. “It affects us because we can envision ourselves in that same situation. It doesn’t matter what uniform or badge we wear, we handle the same type of calls. That could have been one of us.”

Two Pittsburgh police officers have been shot and killed in the first two months of 2023: Brackenridge police chief Justin McIntire in January, and McKeesport police officer Sean Sluganski this month.

McIntire was shot and killed Jan. 2 when he and another officer confronted Aaron L. Swan, 28, on a parole violation.

The viewing for Sluganski was Monday, in Allegheny County, with funeral proceedings scheduled for Tuesday.

Sluganski died as a result of gunshot wounds from an incident Feb. 6, where he and another officer allegedly were shot by Johnathan J. Morris, 31. Morris was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and attempted murder and assault of a law enforcement officer.

Sluganski was among officers responding to reports of Morris dealing with a “mental health crisis” when Morris opened fire on them.

Instances of mental health crises have risen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Jack Ripper of Penn Township police.

“It’s definitely an issue that needs addressed,” he said.

Black said training in response to mental health crises has increased in recent years.

“Every situation is communication,” he said. “A big part of our job is communication and talking with people going into a hostile situation. We’re not interacting with people having a good day.”

“I’ve used crisis intervention training, and it works,” Ripper said.

Seilhamer said police are required to receive training multiple times a year in areas such as firearms proficiency and deescalation.

Receiving training boosts confidence, but there’s always surprises in the field, Seilhamer added.

“There’s still situations that pop up you’ve never seen before,” he said.

Any situation police encounter has a potential for danger, Black said.

“We only get a limited amount of information, that makes it the most dangerous,” he said.

Even a traffic stop can be a dangerous thing, Seilhamer added. During his time as a state police officer, he said a trooper on his force was shot and killed.

The trauma associated with serving in law enforcement can cause some to leave the profession, he said.

“At one point you have to pick what’s more important, and sometimes it’s best to decide to get out,” he said. “You learn to compartmentalize and accept things.”

Black said because everyone handles stress in different ways, peer support programs are available for all state troopers who experience traumatic events.

“Members are able to speak with other members openly about how they’re feeling, in confidence, and there are resources they can provide them,” he said. “Some people say police officers tend to bottle up their emotions, so it’s good they have an outlet.”

Violence against police officers in Butler County is not a common occurrence, Seilhamer and Black said.

“(It’s) very minimal,” Black said. “Typically it happens when people are under the influence of alcohol of drugs. Tensions are higher because of the impairment.”

“In Butler County, there still seems to be respect for police officers,” Seilhamer said.

A recent case of violence occurred in Butler City against officer Michael Sulerud, who was critically stabbed in August 2021.

Early on the morning of Aug. 24, police received reports that John Ebberts, of Butler, was jumping in and out of traffic on the 300 block of West Jefferson Street.

According to state police, Sulerud addressed Ebberts, who stabbed him multiple times before the officer shot Ebberts, killing him.

Seilhamer said when instances of violence occur against officers, it reminds them of why they continue doing the job.

“I always operate on the principle ‘treat others as you’d like to be treated.’ If you follow that, you succeed in the police profession.”

“We go out and we do our job. You’re paid to provide a service: You have to protect the citizens,” Ripper said.

“I think the biggest way to pay that person respect who’s been injured or died in the line of duty is to keep going out there and doing the job. We have to go out and fight the good fight,” Black said.