Kevin McSwiggen got the longest possible term in Pennsylvania on Thursday for killing a police officer who wasn’t on duty.
His name is Charles Stipetich Sr. as in the victim. He told her, “He got 20 to 40 years for killing my son and 6 to 12 months for firing a gun at me.” My son was always happy. Everyone loved him, and he loved everyone. He always laughed and smiled big.
Oakdale police officer Chuckie Stipetich was shot and killed in a road rage incident that began on Route 28. He was 23 years old.
McSwiggen followed Stipetich to his Blawnox home to talk to him about how dangerously he was driving.
Their fight can be seen on dash cam film. Shortly after, McSwiggen is seen pointing a gun after Stipetich’s father comes out of the house and tries to stop what’s going on. The prosecutors said that McSwiggen shot Stipetich, who then shot back, hurting McSwiggen.
In his words, Stipetich Sr., “The law was on my side because it was true and it was all on tape and video.”
Judge Jill Rangos, the Allegheny County District Attorney, and all the cops who worked hard to get justice in this case deserve praise from Stipetch Sr.
“They made things as easy for me as they could have been.” He said, “I’m pretty happy with how today went.”
After his son died, he says, his family hasn’t enjoyed a single holiday. But that starts today. Stipetch Sr. said, “Now that it’s over, we’re going to celebrate Christmas this year and try to move on. Instead of being sad about my son’s death, we might be happy about the things he did.”
In court, McSwiggen told Stipetich’s family he was sorry, but he also tried to protect himself. McSwiggen was meant to be sentenced in October, but he reportedly messed up the process by firing his lawyer and getting into a fight with the judge.
