Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

GARY WAS A FRIEND OF OURS.HE WAS A GREAT GUY ,WHO ALWAYS HAD A LITTLE DIFFERENT SLANT ON LIFE. HE SAID THINKS THAT MADE ME THINK,REFLECT,AND LAUGH!THANKS,GAR. GARY WAS ALSO A GREAT HUSBAND TO ANNE AND THE BEST DAD AROUND TO ROBERT AND NICOLE.HE WILL BE MISSED BY MANY BUT ESPECIALLY TO ANNE AND THE KIDS,THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN HIS LIFE. HIS BROTHER,SISTER,MOM ,DAD AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH VOID IN THIER LIVES FOREVER.--------GARY ,AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE WE LOST ANOTHER OFFICER AND FRIEND,LOUIE VASGER(1973)WHO WAS ASSASSINATED IN THE SAME WAY YOU WERE.THE PARALLELS ARE UNCANNY! -------GARY I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR EVERYTHING INCLUDING TEACHING ME TO MAKE THE BEST SAUTED SHRIMP IN THE WORLD!!! WE WILL MISS YOU ALWAYS. TOM& EILEEN -LANGHORNE,PA.

TOM & EILEEN
FRIENDS

May 14, 2006

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,, BROTHER!!! YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED AND ALWAYS REMEMBERED AS A HERO!!!!! R.I.P. BROTHER

P/O KUZOWSKY #4529
PPD

May 14, 2006

Off. Skerski:

I did not personally have the honor of knowing you but you were a friend of my cousin. You are a true hero and your great sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God bless and watch over you, your family and grieving friends. Rest assured that the animal who cruelly and senselessly took you from life will be found and brought to justice.

Michele Beswick
Humane Society Police Officer

May 14, 2006

Gary,

This is directed more to the boys in blue, the jury is in...get this maggot and send him straight to HELL.

You were a good man Gar, and a great friend, you were take WAY before your time. We'll miss you!

Friend

May 13, 2006

(From a Policeman's Prayer) "...And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God, as we have been to guard the city of men."

Thank you for your sacrifice. May your life be celebrated and a new beat assignment wait for you beyond the gates of heaven. You truly are a hero. Heartfelt prayers to your family and department. God Bless.

Neart, Gra agus Onior (Strength, love and honor)

Crime Scene Specialist K. Martin B1162
Scottsdale P.D. (AZ)

May 13, 2006

Ofc Skerski,
I am sorry I did not know you, but I know many like you, brave beyond words. My heart goes out to your families, both your wife and children and your police family. May God give them strength and wisdom during the coming days. Heroes such as yourself are never forgotten, you are our inspiration to do good. May you rest in peace.

S E TYLER/DISPATCHER
FAIRFAX COUNTY DPSC

May 13, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother, May God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman

May 13, 2006

Final Inspection
The Policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with You?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?"

The officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I've never expected or had too much. But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the answer of his God.

"Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's Streets. You've done your time in Hell."

-Author Unknown

Berger

May 13, 2006

JUST A COP
by Monty E. Ritchey

The funeral line was long,
There's an awful lot of cars,
Folks came out of the restaurants,
They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites
All let their hammers drop.
Someone asked. "What is this all for?"
And they said, "Aw, just a cop."

Some chuckled at the passing cars.
Some shed a silent tear
Some people said, "It's stupid,"
"all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?"
"Or in a doughnut shop?"
Sure is a lot of trouble,
For someone who's just a cop."

They blocked the intersections,
They blocked the interstate.
People yelled and cursed,
"Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!"
"They're makin' us all stop!"
"It seems they are sure wastin' time,
On someone who's just a cop."

Into the cemetery now,
The slow procession comes,
The woeful Taps are slowly played.
There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads
"This service is a flop."
"There's lots of good words wasted,
On someone who's just a cop"

Yeah, just a cop to most folks.
Did his duty every day.
Trying to protect us,
Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven,
St. Peter put him at the top.
An angel asked him,
"Who was that?"
And he said, "Aw, just a cop."

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

May 13, 2006

Officer Skerski, God Bless you and your family.

PO Harry Murphy
Jersey City NJ Police Dept.

May 13, 2006

TO MY BROTHER, REST IN PEACE! HEROES LIKE YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

CO D PEER
HCDOC-NEW JERSEY

May 13, 2006

"blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God"

matthew 5:9

cpl. mjg
wilmngton police de

May 13, 2006

Gary was quite simply a genuine good guy, good person. Gary was the genuine article. Gary always did the right thing. Gary simply respected other people and expected the same respect for himself, family and friends. I was 17 when I left Philly to start a long cross country and worldwind trip that landed me eventually in Australia. I therefore, missed out on having an adult conversation with Gary. Through an unfortunate occurence, the death of my Sister Kathy in 2003, I happened to see Gary again at Kathy's funeral.I gave Gary a hug and told him thanks for coming. I will never forget the big, strong, tough Gary simply put his hands to his eyes, and shaking his head as he was so distraught that my 41 year old Sister had passed away.This moment said more than any adult conversation could ever say between two grown male adults. Gary was a guy who cared and then cared some more. I had the privilege to be a guest of Gary's parents on that same trip back to the states. I wish I could have done so years ago, but due to my circumstances I was at least on the other side of the country or at most the other side of the world. Mr and Mrs Skersi were beautiful hosts for an impromptu visit myself, my Brother Tim, and his young sons Timothy and William made to the old neighbourhood. I struggle to think of a time when I laughed more or had confronted such genuine kindness from people. I will never forget when Mrs Skerski insisted I take the entire box of tasykake crumpets in her cupboard back to Australia. I then realised why Gary is who he is. He had amazing role models in his parents who instilled in him character, respect and fortitude.Rest in peace Gary. I love you.Patrick Sweeney

May 13, 2006

May God comfort Anne, Robert, and Nicole as well as the parents, family, friends and coworkers of Officer Gary Skerski. He gave the ultimate price: his life. He shall not be forgotten, protecting those he loved. Saint Michael, welcome him into heaven and comfort his family during their sorrow. As a mother and one who has suffered great loss, rely on others as they offer their support. Only with their love and strength will you make it. May God Bless you all.

Citizen and mother
pennsylvania

May 13, 2006

You will be missed by many, Gary. You will not be forgotten. I was at your service today, and it still does not feel real. God bless your wife and children. I pray that they will always feel your presence in their lives.

P/O #5434
Philadelphia PD

May 13, 2006

Officer Skerski you and your family will be in my prayers. You are a hero. I never knew you but I would have been honored to.

Jessica Feeney
Center City,Philadelphia Resident

May 12, 2006

God Bless the Heroes! In Valor there is Hope! God Speed on your final dispatch Officer Skerski! God Bless the loved ones left behind, great is the price of freedom...

Sgt. C. Saylor
Albuquerque Police Dept.

May 12, 2006

TO THE FAMILY OF POLICE OFFICER GARY SKERSKI,

MY HEARTFELT SORROW FOR THE LOST OF AN AMERICAN HERO. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR OFFICER AND SHARING HIM WITH HIS COMMUNITY. YOU AS THE FAMILY ARE HERO'S TO ME. GOD SPEED GARY !!

LISA PETERSON
WHITE PLAINS, MD

May 12, 2006

It was with great sorrow to hear of the loss of Officer Skerski. On this afternoon of Officer Skerski's funeral I was travelling south on I95. As the northbound lanes were closing for the funeral procession, many people pulled to the side of the road and stood by their vehicles looking solemn. The traffic that kept travelling southbound upon crossing the Allegheny ramp all slowed. Many turned on their headlights. At no more than ten miles per hour the entire southbound lane on I95 slowed as if creating their own funeral procession in honor of the fallen officer. Not one radio or car horn could be heard. The effect was chilling.
I am the citizen that this officer protected. He patrolled the streets where I live. He dedicated himself to removing the very vermin from our community that killed him. Every day he saw the things that make the rest of us disconnect and complain. His dedication to our safety and the safety of our community was unwaivering.
In closing, I pray for the Skerski family. No amount of sympathy can quell your sorrow. Officer Skerski was our neighborhood angel and he will be missed.

susan freimanis
15th district resident

May 12, 2006

Thank you for your service Officer Skerski. I hope the pain your family and friends are feeling right now will be eased quickly. And I pray that the person responsible for your death will be brought to justice. R.I.P.

Jeanne Placon, MPO (ret.)
Vienna Police Dept. and Fx Co Sheriff's Dept.

May 12, 2006

Deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Skerski. You are indeed a hero Sir and will never be forgotten.

A citizen

May 12, 2006

When others ran from trouble, you ran towards it. The outcome is tragic, but I believe that you would do it again if it came up. You are a hero and never fear, justice will come for your murderer, if not in this life, in the next.

Your family will miss you terribly, but you'll never be far from them. Your extended family, out here, mourn your passing but salute your life.

God Bless and Rest in Peace, Brother.

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

May 12, 2006

A fallen hero never forgotten

Patrolman
Macungie Police

May 12, 2006

My prayer's go out to the family & friend's of Officer Skerski. He was a true Hero and will be greatly missed by all! John 15:13 say's "No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends." May God Bless everyone who knew & loved this great man! Deepest Sympathy!

Beth Anderson
Wife of Alcoa TN. police officer

May 12, 2006

RIP Officer Skerski.I know alot of your brothers are out there working to bring justice to you & your family.My thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family.God bless.

Paul Smith Retired
Bensalem Township P.D.

May 12, 2006