OFFICER GARY SKERSKI 1958 - 2006
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Monday, May 8, 2006
Biographical Info
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: 7379
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, May 8, 2006
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Officer Gary Skerski was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery call at a café near the intersection of Arrott and Adams Avenues.
A patron in the café had called 911 to report the robbery. Officer Skerski, who was working an overtime detail for the department, responded to the scene. As he approached the door he was confronted by the suspect, who was exiting the café. The suspect immediately opened fire, striking Officer Skerski in the neck, and then fled on foot.
Officer Skerski was transported to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds just before midnight.
The suspect was apprehended eleven days later following a shootout with Philadelphia Police in which the suspect was shot twice.
Officer Skerski had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 16 years and was assigned to the 15th District. He is survived by his wife and two children.
This mural is located a Bridesburg Rec Center on Richmond Ave.
Comments and faves
podolux (59 months ago | reply)
Nice capture. This was such a terrible moment in our city. It's a wonderful, lasting tribute. The city is at war with itself and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. R.I.P.
kerrins_giraffe (59 months ago | reply)
I know what you mean. It is a sad time for our city.
Thank you for the complement on the picture. I was hoping that it came out good, because of how bright it was yesterday, I couldn't see the screen on my daughters camera.
Harriet1954 (59 months ago | reply)
I did not know about this mural, and whoever painted it did a wonderful job. I certainly remember very vividly when this happened, and although I've been living in Jersey for 20 years, and never lived in Frankford (although I went to elementary school there) or Richmond, I felt as if it were happening right down the street...
kerrins_giraffe (59 months ago | reply)
I too remember it vividly. It is one of the sad histories of Philly that I can relate too, since I have only been here 7 yrs.
One of my daughters swim team team-mates lived on Arrott Ave when this happened. Her mother was telling me how she was returning home late at night from work, as a nurse, and couldn't get down her street because of all this activity. Another lady who saw the mural being painted said that they were going to do it near his house, but his widow didn't want it there, because of her children. That was his church in the background.
blaulichtbilder (59 months ago | reply)
A very nice picture
B-Gizzle added this photo to his favorites. (40 months ago)
B-Gizzle (40 months ago | reply)
Rest in peace my brother.
kerrins_giraffe (40 months ago | reply)
Thanks B-Grizzle.
B-Gizzle (40 months ago | reply)
Not a problem.
glasscase3 (15 months ago | reply)
Actually Gary would have been 47 or 48. Because if he were 46 at the time he would have been born in 1960.
This photo was invited and added to the Philadelphia Fire Department group.
BradBierlich and PaniAntosha added this photo to their favorites.