Holly MatkinBuffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) Sergeant Arthur Basher died in the line of duty March 29 after suffering a medical emergency while working at a county jail facility.
The 39-year-old sergeant was working his shift at the Erie County Holding Center when the medical emergency struck at approximately 4 p.m. on March 29, the ECSO said in a press release.
ECSO Division of Correctional Health medical staff and ECSO deputies administered CPR and various other medical measures, but they were unable to revive him.
Sgt. Basher’s exact cause of death was not released.
“Today, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office family mourns the loss of one of our brothers – Sergeant Basher,” Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said in the press release. “I want to express my condolences to his family and let them know I am praying for them during this terrible time.”
Sgt. Basher devoted nine-and-one-half years of his life to the sheriff’s office.
He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2017.
“We are all stunned and shaken by his passing, and I have arranged for grief counselors and peer counseling to be available at the holding center,” Sheriff Garcia said.
The ECSO placed a shroud on the memorial stone located in front of 10 Delaware Avenue in observance of Sgt. Basher’s death.
EOW 3/29/2022 , 1600
Today, the Erie County Sheriff's Office mourns the loss of 1 of its brothers – Sergeant Arthur Basher.
Sgt passed while on duty Tuesday. RIP Sgt Basher pic.twitter.com/ccGxzBzjUv— Erie County Sheriff (@ECSONY1) March 30, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Erie County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Arthur Basher, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
