Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Skeeters thank you for your service to the community and country. We just passed the Memorial highway sign as we headed home to Wisconsin and looked you up on ODMP. Respect Honor and forever Remembered

G. Anne Birkholz
Mother of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD

February 28, 2023

Trooper Skeeters,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 20, 2022

Great Person/Trooper...Always a pleasure to talk/laugh with...A good man by any standards..

Chief
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office

May 21, 2020

Great Person/Trooper...Always a pleasure to talk/laugh with...A good man by any standards...

Chief Deputy Ret
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office

May 21, 2020

The Illinois State Police lives forever, and since you were an Illinois State Trooper YOU will live forever. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Trooper A.M. Unal
Illinois State Police

April 19, 2020

i work for District 15 State Police/Illinois Tollway radio room. Although I didn’t know Trp Skeeter, I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to him and his family for his service. Reading all the information on his service and his death proves this was a great man who we all lost way too soon. Please know his memory lives on through his friends and family. Thank you Trp skeeters for your untimely and ultimate sacrifice. Please watch over all the road units across the state. RIP sir.

Jill Kunes TC
Dist15/Illinois Tolway

April 19, 2020

I grew up with Bernie, he was my uncle, what a wonderful person. Bernie would drop what he was doing to help someone needing help and I can only imagine just how quality a State Trooper he was. The sadness and pain still exists today, to a lesser degree, when thinking of that tragic morning of his death. God bless you Bernie, we love you and miss you very much.

Jeff Lopian sr.
nephew

May 20, 2019

Today is the 34th anniversary of your death. You lived in my district, you will be missed.

Bill Benedict

May 20, 2016

Trooper Bernard D. SKEETERS ... the passage of time will never diminish our sincere appreciation for your dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice for us. God Bless You and your Families, Red and Blue

grateful citizen

August 8, 2015

I remember that call I got from the District , and how we had talked just the day before , wanting to believe it was all a horrible mistake and I would hear 9-88 on the radio later that day. Reminded every time I drive past the spot on I55. R.I.P. Bernie, you ere a good cop and a good friend.

TC
ISP D9

July 14, 2015

On May 20th 1982, I was in my Real Estate office on West Jefferson St. when two Illinois State Police Officers came to my door and informed me of the catastrophic accident that took my brother Bernie's life. I was given the task of informing his wife Marie, and picking up his son Ron from Lanphier High School. This was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. Bernie was more that a brother, he was my best friend. He helped me in my business, and he and family had a very close relationship. We talked most every day with his usual "Whip it on me bro. comment" He is a great loss to me and to the community he served. R.I.P. Bro. James A. Skeeters

James A. Skeeters
Brother

July 9, 2015

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

May 20, 2015

To me, Uncle Bernie was the coolest of people. He was respected by family and friends. I still the remember the funeral procession was the longest I had ever (or will ever) see. A fitting tribute to a great man!

Jerry Lopian

July 31, 2013

to my Uncle Bernie in heaven,
I sure miss you and for all my life admired you and thought you were a wonderful person. I always enjoyed babysitting the boys and wish that I saw them nore. than you for your service to the state of Illinois. I'm sure there must be a joyous reunion in Heaven. Lots of love

Traci Skeeters
niece

July 19, 2013

Trooper Skeeters,

Just stopping in to say you are forever remembered. I never knew you but I am one of your brothers in brown. My friend and partner was taken in a similar circumstance last week on I-294. I miss him greatly. You are not forgotten and we at the ISP love you and all of our fallen brothers and sisters. Rest easy sir.

Trooper
Illinois State Police D15

April 5, 2013

my uncle , a good guy, watching over from heaven, im sure

jason
uncle

September 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Trooper Skeeters. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

June 5, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th 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 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.

I pray for solace for all that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to yuo through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

May 20, 2012

Your son speaks of you highly and with great admiration and love, you would be so very proud of the amazing man he has become.. Forever remembering you, Rest In Peace Trooper Skeeters

M. Strickler
LLCCPD

June 28, 2010

Rest in Peace Trooper.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

June 25, 2010

Rest in peace my brother.

Ofc. Ortiz
Middletown Police Dept. CT

January 8, 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 7, 2008

I Finally got to meet A Brammer (friends of my father) I must say what a terrific woman, she and her family new my dad well and what a fun time we had together, it just goes to show the reflection that my father left on all of us and he to this day is my guardian angel and i hope someday that i get to know the brammers well, we the Skeeters appreciate everyone of you who take the time to remember our father, and we will certianly never forget anyone of you and we thankyou for all your memories, he was quite the character and prankster, lol and i love him. Sincerely Tom

Bernies Son Tom

November 25, 2007

I worked with Berny in District 9. Although he worked mostly in Sangamon County and I in Logan County our paths crossed occassionaly while on duty. He was a good guy and a good Trooper.

I do recall the incident that took his life very vividly. Whenever I am on I-55 near Williamsville and near the place where the horrible accident occured, I do think of Trooper Skeeters.

I know he is missed by his family and his friends even to this day.

Tpr. T. N. Little #1102 (Retired)

Trooper Tom Little (Retired)
Illinois State Police - Dist 9 and 13

September 8, 2007

TROOPER Skeeters-My stepfather worked with you in Dist.9.
He was a TROOPER from 1955-1985 in Dist. 9. I remember everytime we drove ( he has since past on to be with you)on I-55 by the truck weight station he would show me the location where you were taken from us. To this day when I come back to the Lincoln/Springfield area I always think of you at that location. I am dedicating my next shift in your honor (7-23-07) 2PM-11PM. I printed your picture and department patch as I will carry them in my shirt pocket for this patrol. Thank-you for your service. RIP Brother in Blue.

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

July 22, 2007