Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In the face of danger, Officer Skerski didn't think twice before going to the scene. His job, serve and protect and someone needed his protection. Officer Skerski did his job and paid for it with his life. Please continue to watch over your family, friend and fellow officers...keep each one safe from harm...if harm should come to them, guide them through the gates of Heaven.

May 8, 2007

Remembering our fallen brother on this sad anniversary. It's clear from reading all of the reflections left by those who knew him best that Officer Skerski was a great man, and a great officer. May his family, friends and coworkers know that his service and dedication will always be remembered.

Sgt. Tom Carver
Delaware State Police

May 8, 2007

May you rest in peace and may Our Lord comfort and strengthen your loved ones today.G-d Bless.

May 8, 2007

Police Officer Gary F.Skerski,

You Sir are definitely my HERO! This year, I will be participating in a bicycle ride from Virginia to Washington DC in honor of all the fallen police officers of 2006. I would be honored to ride in the memory you.

I am from southern New Jersey and had the privilege to see the Philadelphia sky line lit up every night. I fell in love with Philadelphia and it's vast history. I know how tough it is to be a police officer in a big city and it takes a certain police officer to serve and protect it's citizens. Officer Skerski you answered that call and did one hell of a good job. Rest in Peace Sir, I will never forget you!

For the family of Officer Skerski, or anyone who knows the family. I will be at the Police Memorial May 13 in Washington DC during Police week. I have had a memorial bracelet made with Officer Skerski's name and end of watch on it. As I ride my bicycle from Virginia to Washington DC, I will be wearing that bracelet.

If you will be at the memorial I would love to give you that bracelet.

Sean Murtha
Los Angeles Police Department

April 16, 2007

Mr skersky,I was so saddened to hear of your passing.I wanted to write you and say thank you to you.Ill never forget how nice you were to me. You helped me get help for my drug addiction.I never expected a stranger let alone an officer have compassion for me.You may not know how much that meant to me.I didnt even care or respect myself.The world i lived in that didnt happen.I wanted to write you a year clean just to let you know ,you probably would have forgotten me by then, but to thank you.Your family is in my prayers.May God bless you mr skersky.

annymous
citizen

March 25, 2007

You will never be forgotten. You are a true hero and you will be missed dearly. May God bless you and your family and friends. We will continue the fight brother. Although we never met, i feel as if i lost a close friend.

Patrolman Jason Bell
Bangor Police Dept. - Bangor PA

February 19, 2007

Well, it's been awhile Gar. Not a day goes by that you are not thought of fondly. Everything seems to reflect you, and I can you tell now that a lot of the things you said in life will reverberate for years in the 15th district. Although, you coudn't convince me of that when you were saying them. We miss you there and things have never been the same there since you've been gone. Things always change, but not like this. There's a hole now. You are still missed everyday and the 15th will always be your second home. Our thoughts are prayers go out to Anne, Nicole, and Robert everyday. 2006 was a tough year all around and we can all see why Anne was your Angel and your bestest buddy as you always said.

We miss you Gar, we miss your high belted pants, we miss your stories, we miss all the embarassing moments you produced, we miss your inquisitive ways, we miss your hide and seek, thousand a week and your Suuurrre, Suuuurre, and most off all we miss the way you made each one of feel like we held a special place in your life.

You were a great officer and a great man.

15th District, 5 Squad
Philadelphia Police

January 14, 2007

Gary, When I came to you at a Meeting before Stevie was born and I asked you to be Godfather to Stevie you told me," I'm honored that you asked me to be Godfather to your baby, Let me talk it over with my wife and I'll get back to you. At another meeting I had told you that I had asked my nephew Eddie to be Godfather to Stevie, You told me, " I'm happy that you asked your nephew, I feel that it should be kept in the family." We stayed friend after that and I will never forget that. You were always there for me when I needed a friend to talk to and I feel that friendships never die when someone dies. I will never forget when I came to you and I said that I'm scared of becoming a father and afraid of being a bad father. You told me, " Never say that your going to be a bad father, You will be a wonderful father to your child. You will see when you come home and see your child and see him grow up, You will say to yourself, I am a wonderful father." Well Gary, You were 100% right. When I took Stevie to the Christmas Party at the 15th. You came later on as I was leaving, You said, " Let me see the Baby." I had turned the baby around and You said," I'm sorry that I could not spend more time to get to know Stevie, Maybe next time you can bring the baby around and I'll share him with everyone at the district." We were always friends and Me, Crystal and Stevie will never forget you. We love you Gary...

Steve Helvitson Sr.
Friend

January 11, 2007

Merry Christmas Officer Gary Skerski. You are not forgotten and there hasnt been a day that you and your family and all your brothers and sisters in Blue are not in my prayers. God Bless you., and rest in God's Love and in His Arms
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan Phila Pa

Kathi Halligan
Phila., PA.

January 1, 2007

Well Gary, let me tell you a story. We last talked on Friday, May 5, 2006 before you went home and your day was done. You wished me good luck because you knew I would be bringing a baby boy into this world on Monday, May 8, 2006 and you told me "Ang...don't call me on Monday, relax and enjoy. Call me on Tuesday and I'll let everyone know. You're a great mom, don't worry about anything. You will be fine." I took your pager number with me to the hospital with all intents on sharing the news. When I awoke to the 5 a.m news I seen your face on my television and I could not breath. It wasn't you I said, it couldn't be Gary. I broke out in tears. All I could think is I brought a life into this world and you left it. You never got a chance to see the baby and he was born on the day of your death and he will never have the honors of meeting you. Nothing makes sense to me anymore. You know mom died August 26th. I lost a mom and a best friend this year. I will never forget you coming to dad's viewing and saying to me "you know Ang I don't do viewings but I had to come for your family." You are the best friend anyone could have Gary! Though I do have alot to be thankful for I know I will always miss those words from you, "Angggggg, what are you doing to me????? Make nice with the Captain" You were always my confidant, my mentor, the one I ran to for advice on everything. Now, You are not there anymore - it is not the same. I know my loss will NEVER compare to Ann's and your children but the world knows we lost a true hero on that day and it was unnecessary. What were you thinking? I've never known Gar to take the back door! You took things head on. All I know is we will never get the answers. But as you police heaven and I know a big job awaited you - controlling mom's mouth! HA HA. You, dad, mom, Ray DeMarco, and Ofc Healey are doing what you do best and I know I have angels looking down on me. But I have to say - I am lost without you all. So keep smiling on us and guide us along our way. God Bless you Gary - you may be missing from our earth but you will NEVER be forgotten and I will make sure of that.....

Angel Cianci-Hartman
Friend

December 31, 2006

God bless you and your family during this most difficult time.

December 28, 2006

Never Forgotten. God Bless, Peacemaker. God Bless Your Family and We Will Never Forget.

Det Krebs
SWDD

December 26, 2006

Merry Christmas Gar...

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

December 24, 2006

Well Gary, It's Christmas Time! I bet that Anne,Robert and Nicole are missing you right now like Me,Crystal and Stevie are... Merry Christmas Gary... Tell Jimmy " Hawk " Healey,Mary Cianci and Tony Cianci that I said hi and Merry Christmas.

Steve Helvitson Sr.
Former Mayfair Town Watch Member/Friend

December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas Gar. I pray your family surrounds themselves in happier memories of Christmas past.

December 23, 2006

God Bless

December 4, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving . Your in my daily prayers, always God Bless you and your family.

Kathi Halligan
Phila., PA.

November 26, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving Gar......We'll miss you at the North / Frankford Game. May God bless your family.

A friend

November 22, 2006

Reality

Imagine how our world would be
If every police officer quit
Turned in their gun, turned in their badge,
Just finally had enough of it.

No respect, no loyalty,
No appreciation of all they do,
They’d give their lives for all of us,
These wonderful officers of “Blue”.

Kicked at, spit on,
Punched, stabbed and shot,
Everyday assaults on officers,
Done…without thinking a second thought!

Our laws are in favor of criminals,
There’s always some loophole in their case,
Out again to commit more crimes and murders
…creates pain, that we, the family and friends
…in time will never erase.

Why should they do it?
Why take the risk?
Why put their life on the line?
Subject their loved ones to endless suffering,
When their precious life is lost while fighting crime.

More murders, more kidnappings, more robberies and rapes,
Just to mention a few,
Please ask yourself how life would be,
If there were NO officers in Blue!

Would you do it? Could you do it?
And for how many…would YOU give it all?
Rewards are a 21 gun salute, a Medal of Honor,
And your name gets added to the Wall.

Think about it. Why are they here?
And why do some hate them so?
Because they enforce the laws that put convicts and murderers
In jail serving time, or on “Death Row”.

All give some and some give all,
It’s a risk they chose to take:
To put their heart and soul in it,
To put their lives at stake.

So, please take a moment,
Please give it deep thought,
Think of what “you can do”…

To help show respect,
To help follow the laws,
So we’d quit losing our Heroes in Blue!

Written by Jaclyn Pocceschi Mosley
Sister of Fallen Officer Rodney F. Pocceschi EOW 6/23/03
Fallen Officers Remembered, Founder & President
www.fallenofficersremembered.com

Fallen Officers Remembered

November 10, 2006

Gone, and not forgotten. Officer's like Gary Skerski draw the line in the sand between chaos and order in Philadelphia. All gave some, Offiver Skerski gave all.

Det. Brian Grant
New Castle County, DE

November 1, 2006

If you were to look up the word " Hero ", You would find Police Officer Gary Skerski's Picture. He was a true friend and loved by many. Me,My wife and My Son were Honored to know him and be friends to one another. He was a lovable man and a wonderful father and husband to his family.When Ever I had a problem, He was right on top of it...

GOD BLESS YOU GARY, WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Steve Helvitson Sr.
Former Mayfair Town Watch Member and Friend

October 28, 2006

Your sacrafice as well as that of your family's is unimaginable. Your passing strengthened my resolve to become a Philly P/O. I never met you but I will always remeber. I will use your legacy as motivation. Get some.

P/O

October 27, 2006

Hey Gary,
I have to say that you have been a true friend to me,Crystal and Stevie. You always were there for me and my family and I feel that it's time to return the favor to your family. I miss talking to you on the phone when I called to tell you how everything is going and to tell you how Stevie is. You always told me on the phone about your family as well. We all miss you here in Philadelphia and I'm sure that everyone at the 15th District is miss you too. Our hearts go out to you family, We all love you Gary. Tell Jimmy " Hawk " Healey that I said hi...

Steve Helvitson Sr.
Former Mayfair Town Watch Member/Friend

October 23, 2006

Brother--

We never met, and we work for two different cities, but I, as well as the entire NYPD mourn for you. In a job with little appreciation its easy to become bitter and frustrated. However, we would never be able to feel the closeness and true sense of loss when a brother is down. Its a reminder to us all what we all signed up to do, and regardless of how we feel about the job, politics, and bull, we do it for one another, and are there for one another. May God bless you and your family. Watch over us all...

Your brother in blue

P.O
NYPD

October 16, 2006

Gary, you are a true hero. You will never be forgotten as some thought. This can never happen, as for your legacy is carved into the mortar of the 15th district, Gary you were a faithful husband, dedicated father,and one fine police officer. God Bless you, and keep a watchful Eye on us. we still need you Gar.

October 14, 2006