Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP, Detective Skernivitz. Thank you for your service. Praying for tour loved ones.

Officer C Curione, ret.
Rochester Police Department, NY

September 5, 2020

God bless brother

Retired NYPD Detective Matty Longo
NYPD

September 5, 2020

I am sorry for your loss to the Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends. I will keep all of you in my prayers. RIP.

Retired Fire Lieutenant Frank J Corasan
Baltimore City Fire Department

September 5, 2020

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whose blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC

September 5, 2020

Rest in peace Detective Skernivitz!
You will not be forgotten!

Willie Bell Hopewell VA!
Friend Of All Law Enforcement Officers!

September 5, 2020

All give some, some give all. Rest in Peace!

Ptl. B L Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

September 5, 2020

May your legacy be a reflection to others who continue the watch. Thank you for your service!

Connie Moyer, Midwest Trustee
National Concerns of Police Survivors

September 5, 2020

Eternally grateful for your sacrifice, officer. Rest easy.

Civilian, Ezra Zurowski
Community Member

September 5, 2020

Praying for your family, friends, colleagues, and agency during this very difficult time for them and all of us. Thank you for your service! We shall remember you with pride and admiration always! May God Bless the Blue!

“The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9];

“Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4], and;

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]

Depart in peace, Brother-in-Blue; in the name of God the Father who created you; in the name of Christ Jesus who redeemed you; in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you. May you rest in peace and dwell forever with the Lord. Amen.

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, CIMT, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed/Certified Independent Ecumenical Clergy / Chaplain
Steven R. Closs Intercessory Prayer Ministries
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

September 5, 2020

Rest In Peace Detective JAMES SKERNIVITZ!!! Your Life Mattered

PO Connie Hoffmann
SLMPD

September 5, 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 5, 2020

Hero never forgotten.

BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher

September 5, 2020

RIP brother

Deputy Leon Elliott
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office

September 5, 2020

RIP my brother. Prayers to your family

Deputy Leon Elliott
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office

September 5, 2020

Rest in eternal peace, Brother. Thank you for your service.

MA1 Matthew A. Westfall, USN #09567
U.S. Navy Security Forces

September 5, 2020

Rest in eternal peace, Brother. Thank you for your service.

MA1 Matthew A. Westfall, USN #09567
U.S. Navy Security Forces

September 5, 2020

Jim Skernivitz was my brother long before we entered the career of law enforcement. Jim and his younger brother, Greg grew up directly across the street from me. Green and I have been lifelong best friends since we were two years old. Jim was 3.5 years older, and treated me the way any older brother would...picked on me, bullied me, mentored, and protected me. He took me to my first live concert, haunted houses, parties, you name it.

My heart (what’s left of it), goes out to his mom, Sandy, Greg, his wife, and his two beautiful children. Rest easy big brother, I’ll see you in a few days to lay you to rest. We have the watch from here.

Forever Your Brother

Sgt. Val Lester
Atlanta Police Department

September 5, 2020

James
Thanks for your sacrifice on behalf of your fellow citizens. You were still working the streets after 25 years--trying to make a difference. We appreciate your service, dedication, commitment, conviction and otherwise outstanding service to your community and to this great nation. You honor us all.

James Lopey, Asst. Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff (Reno, Nv) and NVDPS

September 4, 2020

Here is an Officer who not only was dedicated to protecting the citizens of Cleveland Ohio, Cuyahoga County Ohio, the state of Ohio but the United States of America. He dedicated his life and years of service to keeping the city of Cleveland to keeping it safe for everyone to be able to come and enjoy all the great things, businesses, restaurants, attractions and events that is meant for all to enjoy. This is a horrible and very tragic loss for us all. God bless this officers family, friends and fellow officers.

Detective Lieutenant
Ohio

September 4, 2020

A great cop and even better man with a great sense of humor. Rest In Peace Skern and May the Lord Jesus take you in his arms and bless your family. You have served him well.

Detective Gary Helscel
Cleveland Police Department

September 4, 2020

I’m

Detective Gary Helscel
Cleveland Police Department

September 4, 2020

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your detective, James Skernivitz, in the line of duty. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Detective makes the ultimate sacrifice. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed. Our prayers and thoughts to the family of the informant who was also killed.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

September 4, 2020

Jimmy was a great cop but he was an even better man, brother, husband, dad and friend. We truly lost a great officer today. Skern was in the Honor Guard for many years. He helped with final honors for many of his fellow officers who were killed in the LOD. Now it's our turn to send him home with grace, dignity and honor. Walk heavens beat now my friend your tour of duty is complete here. I will miss seeing you Skern. Rest in Gods loving arms brother.

Sgt. Randy Daley
Cleveland Police Department

September 4, 2020

Rest In Peace...

Retired Detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

September 4, 2020

Rest in peace.

J.R.

September 4, 2020