Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt. Schrott,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 25, 2022

I knew both well. as both would stop by the house with my dad. My dad was an office with Penn Hills and worked with both Bill and Bart. Bill had a pet rabbit I loved. Now that my dad is now gone and I hope my dad has reunited with Bill and Bart in telling stories. Still think about both after many years. I followed my dad in law enforcement and retired after 35 years. Now my son is following.

David Gray, S/A Ret.
DOJ/DEA

November 19, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your memory, service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 6, 2020

Rest in peace Sgt. Schrott.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2020

I was there on the day that Officer Connolly and Schrott passed away. I was 11 years old and trust me as the memorial in front of the municipal building states "We will not forget" stands true. My mom, brother and I were in the five and dime on that courtyard when the third officer came in covered in the blood of his fallen brothers. Never could forget that image or what those guys did to protect us that day.

I was supposed to get a brand new bicycle that day but that did not happen. On the way home from East Hills a song was playing on the radio. No matter where I traveled throughout the last 47 years I would always be riveted back to that courtyard when I heard the song. Little did I know how much relevance the song had. For some it takes them to the Lion King. For me, not so much.

And you all have heard it...

In the Jungle, the mighty Jungle, the lion sleeps tonight
In the Jungle, the quiet Jungle , the lion sleeps tonight

Many thanks to the brave lions that particular day.

Not an officer
Little boy in the courtyard

June 12, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

March 25, 2019

A Hero in Heaven, always remembered and never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

March 25, 2015

I was only 7 years old at the time of Officer Schrott's and Officer Connolly's death. My mom introduced me to them less than a week before the shooting. She took me back up to the mall and showed me a hole in the brick from one of the bullets. Learning of what happened was a very traumatic experience and something that has remained with me over the years.

Today, I visited the Law Enforcement memorial in Washington DC and located both of their names. It was an emotional experience even after all these years. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

LCDR G. Taczak, USN (Ret.)
Friend

December 28, 2012

I was at the shopping center that day with my mother when I was 10 years old and saw Sergeant Schrott down. My mother whisked me away, but I never forgot that tragic image. It sickens me even more to realize now that the "hippie" movement that inspired that violence and "revolution" towards police and the "establishment" back then is not only alive and well today, but that "hippies" are now in charge of government, education, and media.

David F.
witness

November 3, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

This is an awful story that reminds us that even someone who appears to be less than lethal can be the very one who ruthlessly takes an officer's life.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 25, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 25, 2010

As a ten year old boy, I remember the passing of Sgt. Schrott and Sgt. Connolly. I remember walking home from elementary school for lunch and I could not cross the street as the funeral procession for Sgt. Connolly went by me. I remember the seemingly endless procession of police cars from big and small agencies all over the state. I remember the sick feeling in my stomach as this hero was laid to rest just down the street from my house. I have been a policeman for 28 years, I will retire in two more years. When Officers are injured or worse in the line of duty, the feeling that I had on that day in 1972 always comes back to me. We just had four Officers gunned down in a coffee shop here in Washington state, just weeks after a Seattle Officer was ambushed.

Police Officer

November 30, 2009

For Sergeant William Schrott and Patrol Officer Bartley J. Connolly, Jr.:

The duty of law officers everywhere is plagued by reality. Television and movies have some believing that the hero always survives. This is not true. Reality bears proof that some heros die.

Bill Schrott and Bart Connolly are fine examples of great and noble heros. Each of these men were cops. They were also husbands and fathers.

As cops, there can suddenly come a time when a deadly confrontation might occur -- a momentous decision that now requires full-concentration and demands every ounce of strength to survive. We strive to make the right move. We are praised if we do -- condemned if we do not.

We take what we believe to be the most correct course of action. We live with what follows -- forever.

Many might fault Bill and Bart for their actions. Careful study of this situation seems to reveal that if they had a fault, it was because they acted more as compassionate and caring fathers than as cautious and endangered law officers. The instinct of loving fathers ruled over the instinct of officers who faced death. It was their choice -- and theirs alone.

What appeared to be a young girl running errant was actually a vicious female killer. She not only slew both the officers who showed concern when encountering her, but then faced a third officer who'd arrived and was forced to fire on her and wound her. He then was also fired-upon by additional responding law officers. The situation was as compounded and confusing as it was violent and deadly. It ended with two mortally wounded law officers, an officer down and a suspect who then bled from a body with no heart.

Though a retired Pa State trooper, a retired FL deputy sheriff and a veteran soldier, I hold my proudest moment in life as a husband and a father. I am awed by the courage of our brothers both from Penn Hills PD and the Pittsburgh PD.

I am proud to render Sergeant Schrott and Officer Connolly a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennylvania State Police

October 8, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 25, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 17, 2008

May you always rest in peace knowing that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

March 25, 2007

Sgt. Schrott, rest easy brother your watch is over on earth God Bless you, and your family.

SGT. John L. Gulledge Retired
Escambia CO FL SO

November 9, 2006

William, you are not forgotten.

March 25, 2005