Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God bless the family of Officer Gary Skerski and to all the brave members of the Philadelphia Police Department for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

May 9, 2006

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Gary Skerski and the Philadelphia P.D. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you rest in peace Officer Skerski.

Sgt. Garey Bostick
ONI Police Department

May 9, 2006

Another American Hero has been struck down,,the Thin Blue Line has been shaken again and has suffered this past week. But more heros will arise from communities and take the place of those who have ridden their last shift on this earth. They will never be forgotten. God Bless the Peace Keepers,,, Thank you Officer Skerski for your dedication to your City,Your Department and your Family.

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Police,Tx

May 9, 2006

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. -Albert Pine

Officer Skerski -- The sacrifice you made for your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Officer Skerski -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

May 9, 2006

God Bless this hero. My prayers are with Gary, his family, friends and co-workers. Another sad day in law enforcement.

Ptl. P.K. Harding (Ret.)
Binghanton (NY) PD

May 9, 2006

You are a true hero to us all for your actions and ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you and keep you always. You and your family are in our prayers.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

May 9, 2006

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

Patrolman Shaun McCready
Altoona (PA) Police Department

May 9, 2006

Again we mourn the loss of a hero, His tour of duty is over, rest in oiece, Our prayers and thoughts are with the Skerski family.

larry Kilbarger Retired
lancaster Ohio Police Department

May 9, 2006

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his 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 who carry badges,
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 awful 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 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 never expected or had too much,
But, if you don't...I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne,
where saints had often trod,
as the policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.

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

Officer Skerski, you have given the ultimate sacrafice for our country. May the worthless person who chose to take your life be sentenced to the fullest extent of the law. Rest In Peace, your brothers in blue have the watch now.

CHP EXPLORER
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

May 9, 2006

AN OTHER HERO GONE.MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY.

GILBERT DANIEL

May 9, 2006

Eveytime i hear of an officer injured or killed it sends chills through my body. As I watched the news this afternoon and it was the top story the chills ran though my body. God bless you and your family for your service you will never be forgotten. RIP

Trainee
Del Co Police Academy

May 9, 2006

My family would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of P.O. Gary Skerski you're in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May God give you the strength to carry on and help heal your hearts. May you find comfort and support with those around you.
Rest in Peace, Officer Skerski.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2/16/04

May 9, 2006

May God's light always be with your loved ones..
For your family, friends & fellow Officers
Nothing can ease the grief, just know others are near.
Martha, surviving spouse of FLT.Ofc. Barry Wood, BPD eow 11/04/1998

Martha Wood, widow BPD

May 9, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Family of Officer Skerski as well as the Men and Women of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Sgt
Coatesville Police Department

May 9, 2006

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE...
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Gary,

Brother, I can't believe this happened. This job definitley will not be the same without you. I'll never forget what you did for me. You will never be forgotten.

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

May 9, 2006

Godspeed Officer Gary Skerski!!


"Our Fallen Brother"

As I held him close, I began to cry
Wondering and hoping our friend would never die
I could see the whites of his eyes, as he held me tight
The wind whisked through his hair, as we saw the light

He cried no more as we fell to the ground
His one single tear, would never be found
Cry not my friend God will take you home
The Angels in Heaven will not be alone

You're safe and well as a child to his mother

You will always be remembered as
OUR FALLEN BROTHER


Author Unknown

DonnaMaria
Citizen ofPhiladelphia

May 9, 2006

God Bless the family of Ofc Skerski, my heart truely goes out to you Mrs Skerski and your children in this tragic time.
Find peace knowing that we all do this job because it is what we were born to do. Knowing that this could happen to any of us and praying that it won't..... but prepared...just the same...Peace be with your family and may God bless your husbands soul. We will never forget his sacrifice.

OFC
regional police PA

May 9, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Ptlm. M.W. Ludlow
Palmyra Police, NJ

May 9, 2006

I send my condolences to the family, friends, and Philadelphia Police Department regarding the demise of Officer Gary Skerski. I hope everyone that knew this officer will continue to remember his bravery, courage, and the legacy in which he left behind.

Officer Skerski your shift is over now, we will take it from here. Rest in peace, brother...

Deputy James E. Bradford Jr.
Bradley County Sheriff Department

May 9, 2006

May you rest in peace my brother we have your watch from here.

Sgt. Larry Aliberti
Philadelphia Warrant Unit

May 9, 2006

We send our deepest condolences. Sorry for your loss

Police Officer DeNicola
NYPD

May 9, 2006

My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Skerski; may he rest in peace and always be remembered as a hero.

I pray that the coward who took your life will be caught quickly and made to face justice.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

May 9, 2006

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

May 9, 2006

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

May 9, 2006

What a tragic event. Working just across the Delaware from Philadelphia, I woke to the report of this incident on the news. The news of your death made me sick to my stomach. I give blessings to you and your family, and our brothers and sisters of the Philly PD. I will be at your funeral to honor you. God Speed.

Ptlm. Christopher Kelly 1092
Camden City, NJ PD

May 9, 2006