Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thoughts and Prayers for you and your family this day. April 9th Your Angel Day.

I will never forget you. That photo album that I put together is now in the Buffalo Public Library Black History Reserve section Jefferson Ave. Branch.
Forever Remembered ❤️

A citizen of 14211
You protected our neighborhood

April 9, 2024

I met Skip at the Academy in 1988. He sat near me and we spoke often before and between classes. His friendly, intelligent and dignified personality, I will always remember. May god continue to watch over your loved ones.

Retired
Detective

March 2, 2023

Officer McDougald,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Buffalo. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 9, 2022

As I stated in my previous reflection, your law enforcement family will never forget. To your son Javon, may God Bless you and your family and may you always take comfort knowing your dad left us a true hero.

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

April 9, 2022

We are 1 day away from the 25th anniversary of the dreadful night, we lost Skip. I was the officer in a fight for my life just a few weeks after Skip's death. This message is addressed to Skip's family. I was part of the search team that discovered incriminating evidence which helped to secure a conviction of the cowardly killer of our beloved Skip. I feel Skip was looking out for me the night I was in that life changing fight. I found strength I never knew I had and I always thank Skip for that. Skip will always be honored and remembered for the man and mentor he was. God Bless you and God Bless Skip.

Patrolman
Buffalo NY PD

April 8, 2022

After 20+ years. I'm still at a lost!!! Senior grade Graduation??? He was gone2 days after my track meet!!! I wish I could have told him "I LOVE YOU DAD. BE SAFE. AND STAY PROTECTED. " But I didn't I gotto wear this for life!!! He didn't even get to see his Grandkids!!!I'm still in PAIN!!! THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE PUBLIC OF WHICH YOU LOVED!!!1

Jovon Carson
Son

November 19, 2021

Miss you Skip, you were one of the GOOD ones. Fly on my Brother. Much LH&R.

Tim Manning
Friend

May 15, 2021

You will never be forgotten. Prayers to you and your family. I did not know you personally but worked with officers that thought the world of you. My heart is still sad because you really wanted to change the world. You lived a dignified life and are missed by so many. But they say the way to keep your memory alive is to talk about you. And that will go on forever.
Thank you for your service. A job more than well done.

lori wells
office of the sheriff erie county

April 28, 2021

24 years gone by. Like it was yesterday. R.I.P. Skip

Lt Steve Malkowski
Buffalo PD

April 10, 2021

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

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

April 9, 2021

Rest in peace Officer McDougald.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 11, 2020

A few weeks after Skip was killed, I was in a fight for my life. On a violent domestic call, my holster became unbuckled while in a very violent physical altercation with the suspect. I fought for my weapon that night and won. Taking the suspect into custody and avoiding a tragedy. All that kept going through my mind is " I will not let my wife become a widow ". It took a while but the bpd eventually furnished officers with safety holsters. I was told by the suspect's girlfriend that the suspect was gonna kill a cop that night if she called 911. What I'm trying to say is, there are those in this world who don't care about taking a life.When that mindset is aimed toward a cop, everyone is in danger. Skip did what we all did.Put on our uniform and badge and did the job to the best of our ability. We always have to keep the tactical edge. Unfortunately, even that will not be enough in some scenarios. As in Skip's. We learned this on April 9, 1997. You are never forgotten Skip.

Officer
Buffalo NY PD

December 30, 2018

Whenever I am asked if I believe in God, Heaven, etc. I always share this story.

April 9th, 1997 in the early morning hours an individual (who’s name I shall not dignify by mentioning) walked up to a marked Buffalo Police car and opened fire shooting two Officers as they sat in their car. This cold senseless act was just pure evil. It is the evil in this world we tend to forget exists.

April 9th, 1997 seems like yesterday. I remember those dark early morning hours just after the shooting. We were going house by house yard by yard. It was so dam bitter cold and the snow was blowing hard in our faces as we searched for Skip’s killer. The weather was so aweful the Sheriff’s Departments helicopter Air One couldn’t respond. Soon word came from Erie County Medical Center that Skip was gone. I remember the Lieutenant calling us all together on the street corner and giving us the heartbreaking news.

What happened next I will never forget for as long as I live. As we all huddled together to say a prayer the weather as if someone threw a switch instantly changed. The snow just stopped. The storm clouds parted and just disappeared. As the night sky changed before our eyes the stars from heaven shined so brightly they just seemed to warm our frozen faces. I will always remember the sudden warmth, calmness and peace that instantly came upon us. It was as if God was letting us know Skip was home and everything was going to be ok.

Rest In Heaven Skip -

Retired Detective Joe Martin
Buffalo Police Department

April 9, 2018

God bless you Skip. Your BPD family will never forget you. 21 years ago seems like yesterday.

Michael Bowen
Buffalo Police Department

April 9, 2018

Dear Skip.
I remember meeting you in high school and falling in love with you. You was so different from all the other boys cause you had goals and plans of someday becoming a lawyer. You inspired me to go to college and I did but time and distance separated us. I remember coming to visit you twice in Buffalo while you was still in college and then you coming to visit me in Sanford NC when I moved there. Even though we lived hundreds of miles away, each time we would visit seemed like we never parted. I still love you to this day although you have been gone for over 20 years now. My heart goes out to your family and all that love and miss you. You will always be my high school sweetheart and I will never forget you. RIP my love. I know we will meet again.

Teresa Gaines
Your ex girlfriend

August 12, 2017

Penny for your thoughts ......

V

April 5, 2017

My dad, my knight in shine in armor, my love, I miss you so much, I wish I could of said goodbye, tell you I love you, my sitting here crying thinking about you and your niece Jessica that is with you in paradise, I miss both of you, it's coming up to 20 years you been gone but it feel likeven yesterday, I'm 35 years old, you have 3 beautiful granddaughter from me, you would of spoiled to pieces, I miss you every day rest in peace

Diane
Officer mcdougald daughter

March 19, 2017

I miss and love you. I always think about you our family is not the same

Regina
Sister

November 10, 2016

RIP

Officer R. Harrington
NY State Dept. Corrections

April 9, 2016

Happy Birthday Skip. I have been a teacher for 12 years now.

Fmr PO Mike B.
BPD

February 25, 2016

I was in your city when this happened. I wrapped a single rose around a tree with some duck tape and left a note that I was so sorry and to thank you for protecting our neighborhood all those years. I will never forget you Officer Charles McDougald. I still have the photos from your funeral, I saved them in hopes of giving them to one of your family members one day. I have used them in different events dealing with "STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE". Our community is deeply in your debt.

Jeanne Myers
Emergency Medical Technician

August 16, 2014

Officer McDougald,
Sir, even though it has been 16 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Buffalo. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 9, 2013

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 9, 2013

As a student at Grover,we had many subs come in and out. Skip was different. He could relate to the youth and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS had a smile on his face. I can see him now walking into the classroom, happy to be there and us happy to see him. He was a good person. truly.
I thought about him today and his family. I pray that they are doing well and they know Skip is thought about to this day, by many. May God continue to comfort them.

Bernadette Older
Former Student

March 10, 2013

The uncle I never got to know.

US Army SSG Markus J. DeVane
Nephew

October 2, 2012