Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May you continue to rest in peace in Heaven, Detective Skernivitz.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

September 3, 2024

May God and St. Michael watch over you in Heaven, Detective Skernivitz.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

September 3, 2023

Thinking of you and your dear family. Gone too soon. Thank you for your service!

Sgt. M. Gerbec, Retired
Cleveland Police Department

September 3, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Detective James Michael Skernivitz of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 77 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 3, 2022

May God and St. Michael watch over you in, Heaven. We have it from here Detective Skernivitz.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

September 3, 2022

Rest in peace brother. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten...............

Detective Sergeant Edward Carlile
Northfield Village Police Department (OH)

July 28, 2022

Thanks for your service.

Dushyant Bharat Karani

November 5, 2021

May God and St. Michael watch over you in Heaven. Thank you for your service.

Kenneth Collins

September 3, 2021

Detective Skernivitz, JM, ur loyal service & utmost courage, while serving undercover in OPERATION: LEGEND. Although working undercover, these 'few and the proud,' understand there will be times when their life Is definately @ risk & but a whisker away from eternity.

Cpl JB Anderson (USMC Ret)
USMC Ret Corrections Officer

September 27, 2020

Thank you Detective Skernivitz for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Ohio. You are a true American HERO. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

September 27, 2020

On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Detective James M. Skernivitz and the extended law enforcement family of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio.


End of Watch Thursday, September 3, 2020.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 20, 2020

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”. Matthew 5:9

Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace, my brother.

Retired Chief of police Jim Spratlen
Durango Police Department

September 18, 2020

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 16, 2020

Detective Skernivitz,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

September 11, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas H. Kelly Jr., ASAC
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 9, 2020

Rest in peace brother.

Former Corporal Brian Sullivan
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

September 9, 2020

Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.

Lieutenant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
New York

September 8, 2020

RIP Detective Skernivitz.
My/our deepest condolences to his family, friends and Cleveland Division of Police.

Bob O'Brien

Cleveland Police SWAT Sgt OB (retired)

September 8, 2020

RIP sir. May your soul forever rest peacefully in Heaven.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

September 8, 2020

Rest in Peace Detective Skernivitz. May the Lord grant your family, friends and co-workers peace during this difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

September 8, 2020

"Somebody killed a policeman today,
And a part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,
To his name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today,
It happened in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now, his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
And a part of America died."

Author Unknown

E.C.Proft Chief Criminal Deputy (Retired)
Island County Sheriff's Office

September 7, 2020

Skernivitz family and friends may God grant all of you with a speedy healing. Det. Skernivitz thank you for your service to your Community and Department. Most of all thank you for your Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line of Duty.

Res.Ofc.Rudy Jones
Cuyahoga Falls, OH Police Department

September 7, 2020

Rest easy, Detective. We'll take it from here.

Sgt. S. A. Mohamad
Texas Police Officer. 20years

September 7, 2020

Requiescat in Pa rm

Sergeant Mike O'Connor
Branford CT PD

September 7, 2020

Peace be with your radiant soul, “may the martyrs greet you into paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome you, and take you to the Holy City, the New and Eternal Jerusalem.” Peace to all of your family and friends as they navigate the world with out.

Chaplain Student Grace Adele Hochella
Moravian Theological Seminary

September 7, 2020