May 13, 2006 12:12 am US/Eastern
Witnesses Remember Officer Skerski's Heroism
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
-
-
Police sketch of suspect in Officer's death
CBS 3
As a Philadelphia Police Officer Gary Skerski was laid to rest Friday, investigators are stepping up efforts to catch his killer. Friday evening, those inside the bar remembered the man that gave his life to save theirs.
When responding to reports of a robbery at Pat's Café in Frankford on May 8th, 16-year police veteran Officer Gary Skerski was gunned down by a masked suspect who was making his escape.
During the reopening of Pat's Café Friday night, several of the 12 people inside the bar at the time of the shooting recounted what happened.
One witnesses said the robbery suspect entered the bar with a violent motive.
"I believe he would have killed one or all of us. He was motivated. He said, 'I'm gonna to, I'm gonna to, get rid of that cop, I'm going to kill this cop,'" said one witness. "He opened the door and fired like he knew he (Officer Skerski) was there."
Those inside said Officer Skerski's sacrifice saved their lives.
"He died saving our lives. You don't understand me, this guy would have killed us. This guy is a monster, he's a cold-blooded monster," said another witness.
Police believe the suspect was alone at the time of the shooting and may have escaped the scene in a getaway vehicle.
A massive manhunt followed the shooting, with hundreds of officers and cadets searching the area for any information leading to the killer.
On Wednesday authorities found a burned out, light-colored S.U.V. in Feltonville that matches the description of a possible getaway car seen by an eyewitness at the time of the shooting. Though police have not ruled it out, they said it does not appear to be connected.
Officials were notified of the vehicle by a tip call and since the Citizens Crime Commission announced a record $125-thousand reward for any information leading to an arrest, they have been flooded with over 100 more.
"Everything from A to Z, you know, people trying to help out, people that think the have seen things and this is what it is all about," said John Appledorn of the Citizens Crime Commission.
Since the reward is the largest offered in the city's history, officials said the investigation is often hampered by erroneous tips.
"People think they've seen something, so they thing they're worth something and they're going to call them in. It makes a lot of work and the whole thing is, just maybe we'll get the right answer," Appledorn said.
Since Officer Skerski's murder, a memorial has been steadily growing outside of Pat's Café. Community members are planning to stand out front of the establishment to collect money for his family.
The $125,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Officer Skerski's killer. Anyone with information is urged to call the
Citizen's Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Images From The Memorial Service
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments