Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your Service . Rest in heaven!

PO BORGES
MTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

June 28, 2022

Officer Skagen,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 28, 2022

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

June 28, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Skagen.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2019

To the family of John please know that we will never forget the the sacrifice made by John your loved one.
He will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Rich Von Voigt
Riverhead PD retired

April 3, 2019

May You Rest in Eternal Peace Brother in Blue your dedication and professionalism will never be forgotten God Bless you and your Family for the Ultimate Sacrifices you’ve made in the name of LawEnforcement

Albert Pelliccia Police Officer
New York City Transit Police Dept.

June 28, 2018

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

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

June 28, 2018

Rest in peace my brother.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

June 28, 2018

I had the opportunity to work with John while working dist 5 .I was a young officer as he was and remember when he was taken from our police family.
I Always remember John died doing the job we all signed on for, the tragedy was compounded by the fact that another officer with bad information shot John by mistake.Sad.

Rich Von Voigt
Riverhead PD retired

May 20, 2018

I rember officer skagen we were in th academy together. Having just turned 21 and been a Police Trainee, John was the old man having spent several years in the navy. I rember him as a calm steady individual with a great sense of humor. Upon graduating the academy I was assigned the 42 pct. John went to transit. Our paths crossed again when I bought a car from him shortly before the incident. After all these years I still think of him and the loss to his family and friends. Rest In Peace old comrade. Never forget!

Detective Brendan Leddy (Ret.)
NYPD

October 1, 2017

Rest in perpetual peace my brother. You are a hero.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
N.Y.P.D. (retired)

June 28, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Yesterday marked the 42nd anniversary of your tragic preventable death. Though I feel, there but for the Grace of God go I (we all have the potential of facing such a dilemma) I cannot help but wish they had waited, aimed and demanded you stop which would have allowed you to identify yourself. But I wasn't there; I can only speculate and wonder what became of those two officers. Your fate is shown here.

A hero in life, I believe you were also a hero in death. I had set a reminder for myself to post something yesterday but never visited the computer and forgot. You were not forgotten by and large, just for a moment. For your family, as shown by your son's post, you will always be a memory, always be with them though not physically. They have kept you alive in their hearts and minds.

God Bless and may you forever Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 29, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th anniversary year 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 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. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 5, 2012

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.
Continue to keep watch on all of us from your platform in the sky.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

September 13, 2012

I remember my friend John I served with him. We graduated togeather from the academy. We worked 8pm to 4am. I miss you and will always remember you. God BlessYou. W.T.

PO Tempesta Dist #1
New York City Transi Police Dept

September 22, 2011

I remember my friend John I served with him. We graduated togeather from the academy. We worked 8pm to 4am. I miss ypu and will always remember you. God BlessYou. W.T.

PO Tempesta Dist #1
New York City Transi Police Dept

September 22, 2011

i wish i got to know my oldest cousin jackie. i was only a kid but iremember when it happened.i remember feeling sad for my cousin john and his mother.i cant imagine how difficult it must have been for them without their father and husband rest in peace jackie. you were taken way too early

Anonymous

July 5, 2010

I said a little prayer today for Police Officer Skagen and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

June 19, 2009

Officer Skagen,
On today, the 36th anniversary of your murder, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacarifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

June 28, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

April 15, 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

December 20, 2007

This is my father. I was so young, that when he died I did not have any memories stay with me until the day when I was told of his passing. I was not told the truth then. When I was 18 or 19 I finally learned the truth. It has taken me years to forgive those officers. I put myself in their shoes and I probably would have done the same thing.
The one thing that makes me upset and angry is that I never had a "catch" with my father.

john m skagen Jr
son

November 20, 2007

can't beleive the mut that did this did not pay. may god bless the mos that fired, only to realize what they had done. may officer skagen rest in peace.

ret. p.o. john engebretsen
nypd

October 1, 2006

A TRUE HERO.

LT.CAROLLO
NYPD

June 17, 2006