In the small borough of Freemansburg, Pennsylvania, a routine call for a disturbance on a Thursday evening in August 2011 quickly spiraled into a tragedy that would claim the life of a dedicated police officer. Robert Lasso, a 31-year-old male officer with the Freemansburg Borough Police Department, responded to the call, an event that would tragically be his last. A seven-year veteran of the force, he was known as a loving husband and a father to two young children.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Lasso was confronted by two dogs in the yard of a residence. As he attempted to deal with the animals, he was suddenly and fatally wounded by a shotgun blast to the head. The shot was fired by George Hitcho, 46, the owner of the dogs. The borough's police chief, who was also at the scene, witnessed the horrific event and immediately took Hitcho into custody.
Officer Lasso was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The aftermath of the shooting saw the community reeling in shock and grief. The slain officer was the son of a borough councilman, a man who had also served as the former fire chief, deepening the sense of loss within the tight-knit community. As investigators pieced together the events of that evening, George Hitcho was charged with the murder of Officer Lasso.
Hitcho's case proceeded to trial, where the prosecution sought the death penalty. During the trial, Hitcho claimed he acted in self-defense, stating he believed someone was trying to break into his home. However, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder. In May 2012, George Hitcho Jr. was sentenced to death for the killing of Officer Robert Lasso, bringing a close to the legal proceedings but leaving a permanent scar on the community of Freemansburg.
