One was a 14-year veteran of the Pittsburgh police; the other two were relative newcomers, each with two years on the force.
Two of them left behind wives and daughters; the other was engaged to be married.
What the three officers who were slain yesterday in Stanton Heights shared, colleagues and friends said yesterday, was their devotion to police work.
The fallen officers were identified yesterday as Eric Kelly, 41, a 14-year veteran; and Paul Sciullo III, 37, and Stephen J. Mayhle, 29, each with two years on the force.
Read the whole article. If you are so inclined, take a look at some notes of condolence. Here is an example:
My prayers are with the familes of these Fallen Heroes and the Troops of the Pittsburgh Police Department. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” from the Bible’s book of Mathew.
Colonel David B. Mitchell
Superitendent Ret., Maryland State Police
Proud to be born and raised in Pittsburgh
~
David Mitchell,
Milford, Delaware
The scene is about 10 blocks from the church (St. Andrew’s, in Highland Park) and about 12 from our house. I was eating my oatmeal and reading the paper when all of a sudden there were sirens blasting by and a helicopter overhead. I said to Susy, “there must be a fire.” Heard the story a little later, on the radio local news.
One of the slain officers lived in a nearby apt. building, along with several of my parishioners, who knew him well. Another one grew up nearby, his family known to many. We’re that kind of city. Later in the day when I was visiting a parishioner at a hospital I ran into a policeman friend whom I’ve known though some community events. Shook his hand, told him he and his brother and sister officers would be in our prayers Sunday morning.
In any case, the City of Pittsburgh is, some say, the biggest small town in America. Lots of intertwining relationships, often going back generations. Thank you all for your prayers, for these slain heroes, their families and loved ones, and for all of their comrades–who go to work every day no knowing what’s behind the next door.
Bruce Robison
In our suburban Pittsburgh parish we had an extended time of prayer at the Prayers of the People at both our services this morning. At our second service we had present two active duty police officers including an undercover narcotics officer, a former police officer who is now runs a private investigation firm and a retired Federal ATF agent. The fragility of life of those that defend us was never so close to home as it was today in the hearts of us all.