Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I salute you Sir, I read this memorial with tears in my eyes. I've had doubts at times about becoming a Police Officer. I am really sad to know that you are gone but I am very proud to say that you have become an inspiration to me. I pray for you and your family.

Certified Agent, L. Payton
PA Certified Patrolmen's Association

October 5, 2006

Officer Skerski, May God bless you and your family, friends and fellow officers. My uncle, Mark Bevenour, was a retired Philly policeman. The sacrafices he and his brother officers made on a daily basis is that of a saint, just as Philly officers are today. God Bless.

PO2 Dennis Bevenour, USAF Ret
Delaware State Probation & Parole

September 28, 2006

I've had the honor of knowing Gary for 6 years. He was truly a great friend. I remember at one Meeting that I had with him, I told him that I had lost someone on 9/11 and he told me to be strong and remember the good times you had with them. After he told me that I had felt great after that. Now, I feel that it's time for me and my Family to return the favor to his Family.

Happy Birthday Gary!!!!! We really do miss you....

Stephen G. Helvitson Sr.
Former Mayfair Town Watch Member and Friend

September 26, 2006

My condolences go out to the family of this great person.He was a sevant of the people of this great city and believe it or not a great inspiration to young Philadelphians like myself.I thank him for doing what he believed in and he has inspired me in a way that only a handful of people have.Again i send out my condolences to his family....

Joseph Sanchez
No relationship

September 11, 2006

Sir, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

Daniel
Citizen

August 29, 2006

Yo! Dooker,Your Da man!

john cook
friend

August 10, 2006

hey gar,

i'm not sure why God chose your family to deal with so much tragedy. i try to remain faithful that he only gives us what we can handle, but i don't know how Anne is holding together after losing you and now her parents. i pray for her strength and courage to continue through this latest tragedy for her sake and for the sake of the kids. i also pray for happy times ahead for her and the kids.

you and your family forever remain in our thoughts and prayers.

August 10, 2006

Hey Gary,
It has been awhile since I looked at this web site and needless to say, I am still amazed. So many people have been writing in to express their thoughts. It is GREAT! Your benefit @ Cannstaters was a huge success. You would of been proud! All your friends came together. You are not forgotten. Capt. Everrit and I are always telling people stories about you. I miss you brother. You are now our guardian angel. I know you are keeping a watchful eye over all your fellow officers. Rest in Peace.

Sgt. Ron McClane
Philadelphia Police Dept/Friend

August 9, 2006

Gar,

Just wanted to to say that you are not forgotten. You showed me in a matter of minutes what some never realize in a whole lifetime what this job is about.
When most backed away from working with "the rookie," you took me under your wing and showed me the true way to do the "J O B." No matter what happens in my career, I will never forget what you showed me. I miss you buddy.

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

August 4, 2006

I would like to express my sorrow of the murder of Off. Skerski. He was a friend of my cousin, also a Philadelphia Police Officer. He was a true hero, making the ultimate selfless sacrifice protecting others. My husband is a retired veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and-though he has been disabled by a series of strokes, is still with me and our children. He is 75 to my 53 yrs., and our children are 15, 14 and 11. Our 14 yr. old is autistic but we are very fortunate in that my husband is still with us.

I offer Mrs. Skerski and her family our deepest condolences on the loss of her husband and her father; I can't even begin to imagine the pain this family is going through. Please know that many prayers are with you and your family.


Michele Beswick

Off. Michele Beswick
Chester County S.P.C.A. Humane Society Police Officer

July 25, 2006

TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, PRIVILEDGE, & HONOR TO WORK ALONG SIDE A MAN WITH SUCH DEDICATION, WAS NOT ONLY A PLEASURE BUT AN HONOR...........

P/O CORDERO #2634
PHILA. POLICE/ ASSOCIATE

July 18, 2006

I did not know Officer Skerski but his death impacted me greatly. At this point in time, I can't point to one particular reason. I was at the funeral services with my Department, and it was something I will never forget. I watched the news coverage and cried like a baby, sometimes by myself and other times in front of my wife and 1 year old son. The reality of the job hits you hard when you lose a brother or sister and it makes you think of their family and friends. You then think of your own family and friends having to go through the pain and suffering and it makes it worse. I have come to this site so many times and started a message and deleted it, but this one will stay. Thank you Officer Skerski for your sacrifice. To my brothers and sisters in the PPD, keep your chin up and know that Officer Skerski is watching you and us.

July 15, 2006

Peace be with you always...

Mrs. Natalie Jensen
wife of Detective Jared Jensen EOW 2/22/06

July 15, 2006

I had always dreamed of becoming a phila police officer because this city has far to much crime, but officer Skerskis sacrifice has inspired me even more to follow in his footsteps. To his family and friends: please understand that gary was willing to do what he did because he knew that through his sacrifice he saved many people from harm. he was a true hero and please be proud of him because i am proud of him and thank him for his sacrifice and inspiration

philadelphia resident

July 7, 2006

YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR LOYALTY TO THE PEOPLE AND THE JOB....YOU WILL BE MISSED.....

CLEVELAND OHIO POLICE DEPARTEMENT

July 7, 2006

Gar,

It's almost 2 months since you're gone and I still can't believe it... I see patrol cars riding through Mayfair and for a brief second I wonder if it's you; and then I remember...
I'll never forget watching T.V. that night and telling myself that it couldn't be you...then getting the phone call from my brother a few hours later, I still hear the pain in his voice when I answered. Just a senseless tragedy that has caused so much grief and sorrow to all who knew you. We can't figure out why God would take someone so young, caring and most importantly so loved - by your family, your friends and your community. We just have to continue to have faith that God a plan for all of us...

You were like another big brother to me Gar. I smile when I think back to when I first moved to Mayfair and you had just become a cop; I had the PLEASURE of you pulling me over every time you spotted my red car coming home from some late nights in Center City...you would shine your light in my car so I couldn't see if it was you; then I had to sit and sweat it out wondering if I really did something. You would finally walk up to my car and tell me to be careful and get home...I jokingly "complained" to my brother about it, but the truth is, I was grateful to have you looking out for me. Now that I'm older, I called you for some neighborhood issues; and I was grateful yet again to have you looking out for me. No matter how big or small the issue, you were always there to help - Thank you!

It's remarkable to read all of the wonderful posts from your friends, co-workers and especially the residents of the 15th District...what a legacy you have left for your children, your family and friends.

Rest Well Gar, watch over your family, let them know that your "watch" for them is never over.

You will always be missed and loved by my entire family, we will forever cherish the memories of you in our lives.
Cheryl

Cheryl Hesson
Friend

June 30, 2006

You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

June 28, 2006

Yo Mo...

Please know that your family is and always will be taken care of.

Philadelphia Police Department

June 24, 2006

We have a problem coping with Garys death, asking why did it have to happen to such a great person and we are still in denial that it actually happened. We have nothing but fond memories of him that will last us a life time. He touched our lives in every way possible, whether it being on a personal level, family level, or professional level. My son to this day says "Us Polacks have to stick together" (personal joke between Gary and him), and he truly misses him at the soccer games, yelling and encouraging the team whatever the score was and telling them not to give up, that they can do it. My daughter misses his kind words and inspiration in telling and making her feel good about herself in her soccer endeavors. My wife misses his way of having something positive to say about everything, and everyone. I truly miss his friendship, with him always being there for family and myself. A day never goes by without my family saying something great, or a funny story about him. For the period he spent on this earth, he touched many hearts in a positve way, and he will truly missed by all forever. Gary watch over us, Buddy.

My family hopes that his killer will forever burn in the fires of hell forever, for taking him away from us and his loving family Ann, Robert, and Nicole.

A Family he touched in Bridesburg
Bridesburg

June 23, 2006

God Bless you and your family. Thank you for your service to the city I grew up in.

Deputy Eric Gruss
Monterey County CA Sheriff's Office

June 22, 2006

Gar,

Help your family get through the preliminary hearing...they need you right now. I don't know how they are making it through the testimony, I've been reading it online and it makes me sick, I can only imagine what it must be like for Anne and the rest of your family to hear.


You are now and always will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved you.

June 21, 2006

Gar,

Montogmery's pre-lim was yesterday and probably the rest of the week. everyone is doing their absolute best to see that his last moment is watching the doctor put the needle in his arm; but even that is not proper justice. You are a Hero in every sense of the word; not that anyone ever doubted it for a second. You will never be forgotten. Please now that your family will never be left aside. We will look out. You are missed greatly brother, it just isn't the same anymore.

A freind
Philadelphia Police Department

June 21, 2006

We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless death of one of our finest. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Mrs. Skerski and Skerski children; We pray that the Lord will comfort you during this difficult time.

You will never be forgotten for your great sacrifice. God bless you and all of our brothers on the beat. Thank you for keeping us safe.

Eddie and Doris Ashburn
Phila Police Dept #4685 and P/O's wife

June 19, 2006

I am still deeply saddened by this heartless act of violence. I did not personally know Officer Skerski but as a P/O wife I have a VERY special place in my heart for all our boys in blue. When anything happens to any of them i take it personally. Officer Skerski, may you rest in peace, and please watch over my husband and all other law enforcement personel as they work to keep our streets safe.
To the Family of P/O Skerski, my deepest sympathy and please know you are in my prayers each and every day. May God Bless you and help you through this trying time.

jennifer
Phila. Police Officers Wife

June 17, 2006

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

June 17, 2006