Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace My Brother. May God Bless your Family.

W. O'Connell
West Pikeland Twp PD, PA

May 10, 2006

Gary was a best friend to my husband for over 35 years and godfather to my daughter Adriane for 23 years. When he died he took a big chunk of our hearts. Our lives will never be the same. As my husband Mike says, "there will never be another like him." He has given us many laughs, fun, advice and friendship over the years. We will always have our pictures and memories. No gunman can ever take that away from us. Our love and hearts go out to his Parents, Robert, Jackie, Anne, Robert, Nicole and extended family. We will miss him deeply. It was such a sensless tragedy.

Donna Hesson
friend of 30 years

May 10, 2006

Rest in Peace Officer Skerski. You made the ultimate sacrafice to protect your community. For this you will not be forgotten. May God give your family and your fellow brothers and sisters in blue the strength to cope with the months to come.

Tara
Wife of a Virginia Beach, VA Police Officer

May 10, 2006

May you rest in eternal peace my brother!

" Heroes Live Forever!"

Sgt. Steve Redding
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police

May 10, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with you ,your family and friends.There is no doubt that you saved every life in the bar and you yourself made the ultimate sacrifice,you are a true hero...Its a very sad day for our whole department.
R.I.P

POLICE OFFICER ANTHONY BRITTON
PHILADELPHIA POLICE

May 10, 2006

God Bless You!

Rest in Peace!

Cpl/1 W. P. Murray
Delaware State Police

May 10, 2006

RIP Brother!

FF Marc Dore'
FDNY (former NYPD officer)

May 10, 2006

May God watch over your family during this tragic time. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. May God keep your soul and watch over those dear to you.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

May 10, 2006

‘A Hero Enters Heaven(For Officer Skerski)'
By John J. Ruppert 5-10-2006



Heaven opened up their gates this Monday

To allow another hero to enter on through

His name was Officer Gary Skerski

He sacrificed his own life for me and you



He was a Philadelphia police officer

Who dedicated his life to fighting crime

He gave everything he had for this city

Until God told him that it was his time



Every moment that he stepped out that door

He knew he wanted to be the best that he could

He shared his love with his family and his friends

Living a blessed live like one of God’s Angels would



Even though we can no longer talk to him on Earth

Remember we’ll walk with him in Heaven one day

We must continue to follow the directions he chose in life

Cause Officer Gary Skerski would’ve wanted it that way



God Bless You, Our Hero

John J. Ruppert
Mayfair Town Watch, Phila, PA

May 10, 2006

I am so sorry for the pain that Officer Skerski's family must endure now due to the horrible end to their loved ones life. I pray that God's presence surrounds each and every one of you and provides you with some sort of comfort in this very difficult time. You can be proud of Gary's life and the obvious fact that truth was such an important part of his life. Please know that you are in my prayers and thoughts.

Eileen Albanese
Sister of Brian Gregg, EOW 9/29/05

May 10, 2006

Officer Skerski:
You are among our greatest heroes, as all police officers are. You had a bravery that many of us don't have. Your bravery kept the rest of us safe. The job you chose never pays enough for the sacrifices many of you make. And you paid the ultimate sacrifice with your life. I only wished society would support our police with stronger gun laws and am sorry that it doesn't. To Officer Skerski Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. It will always be hard not having him there but, know he will always live with you in your heart and memories. I'm sure he will be an angel keeping watch over you. Sincerely, Maria Maguire

Maria Maguire
Philadelphia resident

May 10, 2006

Rest in Peace, Police Officer Gary Skerski, your family are in my prayers.

Det. Bill Henderson
Ridley Township P. D.

May 10, 2006

Rest in peace Officer Skerski. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. I can promise you, no "rock" will be left unturned until he is caught.

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

May 10, 2006

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

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

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

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

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've 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 never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

May 10, 2006

Gary was a professional, a Cop's Cop! May his soul rest in peace, and may his family know comfort and peace in the days ahead. God Bless!

P/O Phil Bowdren (Retired)
Philadelphia Police Dept.

May 10, 2006

My brother, you made the ultimate sacrifice. You define the word HERO. I will keep your family and fellow officers in my prayers. Rest in peace my brother. Until we meet at the gates.

Trooper
Kansas Highway Patrol

May 10, 2006

Rest in peace brother. Your sacrifice saved a tavern full of innocent people. It will never be forgotten. We will find him and bring him to Justice. For you and your family left behind. We will find him.

P/O Joseph T. Leighthardt
Philadelphia Police Dept.

May 10, 2006

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER AND BLUE. YOU ARE A HERO, FOR THE REST OF MY PHILLY BROTHERS BE SAFE, AND TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS.

SGT. STEPHEN GAFFNEY
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE/FMR. PHILA P/O #3195

May 10, 2006

Rest easy brother. We have the watch.

Corporal
Pennsylvania State Police

May 10, 2006

THE MONUMENT
By Sgt. George Hahn, LAPD
I never dreamed it would be me
My name for all eternity
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face

"In the line of duty" I hear them say
My family now the price will pay
My folded flag stained with their tears
We only had those few short years

The badge no longer on my chest
I sleep now in eternal rest
My sword I pass to those behind
And pray they keep this thought in mind

I never dreamed it would be me
And with heavy heart and bended knee
I ask for here and all the past
Dear God, let my name be the last
***************
My deepest sympathy to Officer Skerksi's family & the Philadelphia Police department, may you be proud. May the support and dedication of your loved ones and fellow officers guide you through this tragic loss. No one is ever prepared for such sadness. Officer Skerski committed the ultimate sacrafice. Though I do not know Officer Skerski nor his family, he truly will be honored as a great man with true strength and courage. May he rest in peace!

J. McCormick
Bucks County Citizen

May 10, 2006

In the simple performance of duty

he pinned on a badge,
checked his gear with a practiced eye,
and kissed his loved ones good-bye.

In the simple performance of duty,
he reported for work,
joked with his buddies at roll call,
and made his last trip down the squad room hall.

In the simple performance of duty,
he answered the call
to help the helpless, to find the lost,
no matter the danger or how great the cost.

In the simple performance of duty,
he lay down his life,
for those in peril he tried to save,
our brave friend went to his grave.

In the simple performance of duty,
we honor his deed,
as we carry him to rest in a flag-draped casket,
long after the world has forgotten, we shall never forget.

Never judge or regret, what he did, In the simple performance of duty.

Rest in peace my brother. May God bless your family and friends, and may you always watch over your brothers in blue protecting us as we carry on the good fight each day

Ptlm. Mark Marchesi #2528
Parkside Police Dept. (Delaware County, PA)

May 10, 2006

Rest now my brother, we have the watch from here...

Deputy J. Abeita
Sandoval County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico

May 10, 2006

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and fellow officers of this great hero. May God comfort you in your time of loss.

Officer & Mrs. Chris Neville
CCPD, VA

May 10, 2006

POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL

St. Michael, Heavens glorious Commissioner of Police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared Gods 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 judgment. 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 police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our nightsticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of men


Amen

NJSP Troop 'A'

May 10, 2006

My prayers go out to your family and all the Philly PD. I did not know you my brother but we are all part of the same Thin Blue Line and feel each other's pain. You are in a much better place now being one of God's most elite protectors where we all hope to end up. You will never be forgoten.... Godspeed my brother... help protect us all.

Ptl. Alan Altman
Clarksville, Tennessee Police Dept.

May 10, 2006