Borough Police Will Escort Officer on Final Ride

Members of the Hellertown Police Department will help Freemansburg police escort the body of fallen Freemansburg police officer Robert Lasso from to later today, Police Chief Robert Shupp announced at Borough Council's Monday night meeting.

Lasso, , will be cremated at the Main Street funeral home, Shupp said.

"We will be the last escort he gets," he told council solemnly.

Shupp said he knew Lasso, who was 31, and graduated from the police academy with him.

In the days since his untimely death, Hellertown police have reached out to help their brethren in the small Freemansburg Police Department deal with the loss, he said.

"I know they're extremely appreciative," he added. "They have thanked us numerous times."

"It will be a long day tomorrow for us," he said to council.

Hellertown mayor Richard Fluck announced that borough staff plan to attend the memorial service as a group, and Borough Manager Cathy Kichline explained that they will also be supporting borough employee Patricia Tallarico, who is Lasso's mother-in-law, during that time.

"It's very important for us to be there, to show our love and support for her," Kichline said.

In order to allow for the staff's attendance of the memorial service, .

Shupp said that all members of the Hellertown Police Department--except for two who will remain on duty--will participate in honoring Lasso, who was a member of in Hellertown according to his published obituary.

"This community has really stepped up to help Freemansburg," council vice president John Bate commented.

Members of the public are being invited to line the route from Long Funeral Home in Bethlehem to Northampton Community College, where attendees must be present by 9am, according to an article published in yesterday's Morning Call.