Spaghetti Dinner a Success for Recovering Local Officer, Wife

A few months ago Ed and Linda Cross ended up in the hospital within a few days of each other.

Linda Cross, a Moon Area Middle School teacher, suffered a stroke. Thirty-six hours later, her husband Ed Cross, a and officer, was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Now in recovery, the two sat at a table together Saturday with one of their two sons, greeting well-wishers who stopped to offer hugs, handshakes and kind words. Both appeared moved by the outpouring from the community.

“I didn’t think I had this many friends,” said Ed Cross, who also retired from the after 37 years and has a reputation for stopping tractor-trailers that are too heavy or violating other traffic and safety regulations.

More than 250 people came out to the Moon Area High School cafeteria to show their support for the Crosses, including injured .

Hahn, who was injured in a September police chase, said he wasn’t feeling well but decided would rather get out and  than stay home.

“I came here to support Ed," Hahn said. "I’ve known Ed for years.”

Hahn and his wife, Fritz, talked and posed for photos with the Crosses before getting in line for pasta and meatballs.

said Ed Cross went to the police academy with his father. Santucci said he looks up to Cross as a second dad.

“Ed’s been part of the Leetsdale family for over 30 years, and our relationship is sort of a special one,” he said.

Santucci was able to get the ball rolling on the event after contacting high school friend Drew Volchko, secretary of the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation.

Linda Cross suffered a stroke Sept. 10 due to high blood pressure, a medical condition she didn't know she had and that can lead to heart problems. She ended up in , then UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. She’s now in therapy at and expects to finish up at the end of the month.

“Things are good. I’m feeling better,” said Linda Cross. “It just was so hard with us both right at the same time.”

Three days after his wife was admitted, Ed Cross was also rushed to the hospital where he stayed for two weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Three days after his release, he woke up feeling like he’d just run a marathon and learned he had a . He has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy and has nine more to go.

 “I’m feeling good,” Ed Cross said. “Hopefully I can be back irritating the truck drivers again by September,” he said.

Volchko said when he heard that Ed was in emergency surgery, he wanted to start helping right away. Since forming earlier this summer, the foundation has raised thousands of dollars to help a number of officers and their families around the region, including Hahn and slain officer Derek .

“Every penny we raise is a penny more they didn’t have,” Volchko said.

WPPBF, Leetsdale and Leet police teamed up with Steel Valley Lodge and Leetsdale and Leet Township police for the dinner Saturday. In addition to Hahn, plenty of friends, officials, teachers and officers showed up.

“We’re glad to see this sort of turnout,” said . “We’re wishing Ed and Linda a speedy recovery.”

Ed’s sister, Rose Luchan, said their mother died Oct. 8, two weeks after her brother was released from the hospital.

“There’s no way to thank them for this,” she said. “It’s like somebody cares.”

Ed Cross became choked up while speaking to Santucci about the successful benefit.

 “I never expected anything like this.” Ed Cross said. “You write a ton of tickets, you figure everybody hates you.”

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If you couldn’t make it Saturday, but would still like to help, donations can be sent to Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation, P.O. Box 444, South Park PA, 15129.