Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will not be forgotten. Keep watch over us all. God Bless.

Federal Agent
Niece of Philadelphia Police Sargent

May 11, 2006

Ofc. Skerski, your bravery proved you were a 'cop's cop', the kind of cop who didn't blink at responding to a call for help, regardless of the danger. You didn't have to respond working an off-duty detail but you stepped up to the plate and laid your life down to save those people. I stand at attention and salute you, sir. God bless you, your family and your fellow officers at the Philadelphia Police Department.

"We stand on that wall between good and evil with our swords drawn and our shields raised and say to those whom we have sworn to serve and protect, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight, not on our watch.'"

Friend of our fallen brothers Ofc. Sean Laura (EOW: 9-20-97, Ofc. Eric DeWit (EOW: 2-17-02) and Ofc. Patrick Righi-Barnard (EOW: 11-25-04).
(11-25-04).

Patrolman Samuel Harris #528
Markham (IL) Police Dept.

May 11, 2006

Even though I never met Officer Skerski I have heard many good stories about him from my mother who is a philadelphia p/o and many of my friends.. To his wife and children my preayers are with you, and you know that the whole department will support you through this tragedy. And just know that the brothers in blue will catch him!!!

RIP

Marcy McGinnis
Dispatcher Philly PD

May 11, 2006

Policeman's Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael, Heaven's glorious Commissioner of Police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eye on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, St. Michael, from your own experiences with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so suprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us your inspiration.

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 the city of men. Amen.

Your loss is truly devastating...

May God bless you and your family.

Sgt. John Huinker
Niles, IL P.D./G.A.P.A.-Chicago

May 11, 2006

Rest in peace brother, and thank you for your service.

LT STEVEN RODRICK
WIGGINS POLICE DEPARTMENT-MS

May 11, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Skerski. It is my prayer that you find the peace and comfort that only God can give.

He will wipe every tear away from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Rev 21:4.

Until that day may God continue to bless you all.

Investigator Vic Ingram
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office
Chatham, Virginia

Investigator Vic Ingram
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Virginia

May 11, 2006

We are all saddened by both losses my prayers are with you

DetectiveThomas Holland
fairfax county Va

May 11, 2006

May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers.

Jim Downs, Ret. Lt., PPD
CopNET

May 11, 2006

Officer Skerski and his family paid the ultimate price. He was killed so that those citizens in danger could be saved. Every day our brave officers put their lives on the line for our safety. Is it fair to repay them like this?? We all need to do our part to help them keep us safe! Get the guns off the streets and out of the hands of these criminals!

Ellenor Leighthardt
Sister of a PPO

May 11, 2006

Officer Skerski and his family paid the ultimate price. He was killed so that those citizens in danger could be saved. Every day our brave officers put their lives on the line for our safety. Is it fair to repay them like this?? We all need to do our part to help them keep us safe! Get the guns off the streets and out of the hands of these criminals!

Ellenor Leighthardt
Sister of a PPO

May 11, 2006

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

May 11, 2006

Rest in peace Brother. To the family and friends of P.O. G. Skerski, and to the men and women of the Philadelphia Poice Department, my prayers and thoughts are with you.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Department 003 District

May 11, 2006

On behalf of the Sandoval County Sheriffs Office, we send our condolences to the men an women of the Philadelphia Police Dept. Its a shame these things happen, we all long for the day, when the coward is taken into custody. Rest in peace brother.

SGT Ron Buchholz
Sandoval County Sheriff NM

May 11, 2006

Officer Skerski,

May you rest in peace my brother. You and your service will not be forgoten. May the Lord Bless your family and give your fellow officers the power to move on and contiue to fight the good fight.

Jose L. Hernandez
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
El Paso, Texas

Jose L. Hernandez
El Paso County Sheriff's Office

May 11, 2006

Those of us who knew Gary personally know what a tremendous loss this is. Words can't describe the man Gary was. If you had the honor to run into him even for a few minutes you never forgot him. Gary would not think twice, not for a second to bend over backwards to help a brother out. He was larger than life. His smile and laughter speek for itself. Gary (along with his catch phrase) WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. Gary, you put 'em to the wall Monday night and answered your last call. May you know rest in eternal peace. Watch over us buddy.

Just a quick note to my brothers who were with Gary in his final hours. You know who you are, there is no need to mention names. Hold your heads up guys, You did damn good and Gary would be proud.

It was said that a centurion was needed to stand post at Heaven's Gate.

St. Peter asked this man what he had done in life to gain admittance past the gate.
St. Michael cried, "He is one of Mine, a SOLDIER, tried and true. Without haste, let him advance so he may take his new beat walking Heaven's streets!"

Unfortunately on a day when a husband was taken from a wife, a father from his children, a son from his parents........ Heaven got the best.

To the Skerski family:
Please know that Gary WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. We know that Gary is by our side getting our backs every time we break roll call. We are all a part of an extended family. Know that wherever you may be, all you have to do is look next to you for a brother in blue and you will be home.

A fellow 369
Philadelphia Police Department

May 10, 2006

As a family member of an officer who was also shot (RIP Detective Costello #8087), my prayers go out to Officer Skerski's family. The logic of an individual to shoot at someone just because they are wearing blue just is incomprehensible to me. Say hello to #8087 for me, Gary - keep on patrolling.

Firefighter Gus Petrogiannis
Bucks County Resident

May 10, 2006

Sir may God watch over your family and friends in this horrific journey they have just started. We hope and pray that they may find solace somewhere from within.

God speed sir, we have the watch from here.

Friends of Larry R Cox EOW 4/21/05
Chillicothe Ohio Police Department

May 10, 2006

Lord,
He was yours to give,
and yours to call home,
please stand by his brothers,
so they don't feel alone,
dry the tears of his family,
so they clearly see:
that he gave his all,
so all could have peace.
Blessed are they,
the children of God,
with heavy hearts,
and honor - they trod,
to pay their respects,
to give their salute,
and to ask for your mercy,
on heroes in Blue.
Amen.

Gary, rest easy brother, we have the watch.

Mesquite, TX

May 10, 2006

Rest easy brother. However, we won't. We won't untill we get him.

Philadelphia Highway Patrol

May 10, 2006

You are a true hero and are in my prayers. May God bless your family and welcome you home.

May 10, 2006

Rest easy brother, we'll take the point from here..

Ofc. J.Seabron
Oceanside P.D.

May 10, 2006

On this uneventful night, we had just returned home from my husbands dst. the 17th. The news did not mention any names. On Tuesday, we went out and picked up a paper, there it was in black and white, Garys name and the years he had on the PPD. My husband graduated with Gary at the PPD Acadamy. This has anyone and everyone wondering, WHY?? Why,Gary? Anytime a cop gets killed, it brings a new light into your life of being either a cop, a cops wife, friend etc. I stood up on my soapbox today, I was the voice for Garys widow, Anne, and their children; Robert 13 and Nicole 10. I am proud to be a wife of one of Phillys finest and I know Anne was too. God Bless you and keep the faith.

Mrs. Jane varley
Wife of a PPD Officer

May 10, 2006

A TRUE AMERICAN HERO. PROTECTING US ON EARTH, DOING GOD'S WORK. REST IN PEACE OUR FRIEND AND BROTHER.

DEPUTY INSPECTOR KEN MEKEEL
NYPD DETECTIVE BUREAU

May 10, 2006

i knew Gary for many years and had the pleasure of working with him from time to time. he was an enormous asset to our profession and his presence will be termendously missed by all who knew or came in to contact with him. St.Michael will look after him now and i know our creator has taken him to his reward. Rest In Peace, Brother.

P/O EDMUND WINTERS 5022
PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 10, 2006

Gary, I am so sorry this happened to you. I was getting ready for work when I heard the news on TV. When I arrived at work I was sent to your in-laws house to break the news to them and bring them over to the hospital. It was a long walk up to the front door. So many of your friends and co-workers were at the hospital for you and your family. Your two beautiful children were strong for you wife. They look like you. They will be cared for and not forgotten. Rest well my brother.

Sergeant Jim Morace
PPD

May 10, 2006