I stand before you the representative of a community in grief -- a City in shock. We gather today to honor the life and to mourn the loss of three brave sons, husbands, fathers, brothers and Pittsburgh Police Officers.

Our loss as a City is first and foremost a profound loss to the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen heroes, Officer Paul Sciullo II, Officer Stephen Mayhle, and Officer Eric Kelly. Know that a City, a community, and a people far beyond the reach of my voice stand beside you.

I have asked God for the strength and the words to express today what people are feeling. How can words possibly speak loudly enough -- profoundly enough -- when measured against the brave sacrifice laid down for us all?

So, we must look to the lives of Officers Paul Sciullo II, Stephen Mayhle and Eric Kelly to find the words.

We remember Officer Paul Sciullo II.

Officer Paul Sciullo II walked away from a comfortable career in the private sector, choosing instead to protect and serve. He was a lifelong resident of Bloomfield who moved just one block away from his family home. Neighbors regularly saw him as he made his way to St. Joe's for Mass, and to his mother's for dinner -sometimes stopping to discuss his most recent hockey win -- but always carrying his overloaded laundry bag. Few among us have the opportunity to do what we truly love. As his family shared with me, Paul loved nothing more than being a Pittsburgh police officer, improving the lives of the people of his neighborhood, his City. His life saved lives. Paul, we honor you. We will miss you. We will remember you.

We remember Officer Stephen Mayhle.

Officer Stephen Mayhle grew up and spent his whole life wanting to protect and serve. Ever since he was a little boy, Stephen wanted to be a police officer. He sought Pittsburgh to live out his dream, recently buying his first house in Brookline with his wife and two young daughters. What a beautiful family he built. What a commitment he had to his family, with whom he shared birthday dinner on the night of April 3rd. What a commitment he had to the community in which they lived and our children live. His life saved lives. Stephen, we honor you. We will miss you. We will remember you.

We remember Officer Eric Kelly.

Officer Eric Kelly answered the call to protect and serve even though his shift had already ended. It was a beautiful spring morning and the sun was shining in Stanton Heights. Officer Kelly was headed home to his wife and daughters. He was as eager to see them as they were to see his ever present smile. As he followed the familiar roads home, a call came in that officers had been dispatched to a house nearby. Officer Kelly made his way to Fairfield Street- only blocks away from his own home- to protect hiscolleagues and his community. He rushed to the aid of his brothers, called off help for himself, and warned other officers of the danger ahead. His life saved lives. Officer Eric Kelly, we honor you. We will miss you. We will remember you.

As we honor the lives of these three brave men, we must also pay tribute to their families. It is my honor to swear in new recruits to the police department. I had the privilege of swearing in Officers Sciullo and Mayhle two years ago. After administering the oath I gave the new police officers two pieces of advice: trust your training and be safe. I thanked the families for their sacrifice and commitment. Having made these remarks time and again, I now, more than ever, understand what they mean. The sacrifice is not just time spent away from home -- the missed little league games, family dinners or school plays -- it's the knowledge that there is no such thing as a routine call or an ordinary day in the life of a police officer. Marena, Tamika, Autumn, and Janelle Kelly; Max and Sue Sciullo; Shandra, Jennifer and Brooklynn Mayhle. Your husband, your father, your son, your brother upheld the oath, with your unwavering support, and for that we thank you.

Every day thousands of men and women wake up, put on their uniforms, and report for duty. Day in and day out, they patrol our streets to keep neighborhoods safe. It is a calling they have devoted their lives to. To protect and serve. Our three fallen heroes, their actions, and their sacrifice define what it means to be an officer. And to all who were on the scene that fateful morning, I am in awe of you. Pittsburgh is in awe of you. Whether you were in the SWAT truck, positioned on a roof, serving food to officers in need or comforting a neighbor shaken by tragedy, you made a difference. The many officers who had to go out on their shift later that day, heartbroken and shocked- we salute you for putting your community first.

As we now say goodbye to our heroes, all of us left behind wonder silently and aloud: "How do we go on?" The pain will be deep and enduring for loved ones. Our community will long feel the pain of this tragic event. But it is in how these men lived and died, how their families supported them, and how the men and women of law enforcement conduct themselves each and every day, that answers can be found.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others."

What the lives of Officers Kelly, Mayhle and Sciullo have taught us, what allows us to go on, is that there can be no higher calling than doing all that we can, even at the risk of our own lives, to care for each other. To provide for our neighbors' welfare. To "Protect and Serve" one another.

You see, "protect and serve" is not just a motto on the side of a police car. It is a way of life. The next time we hear the piercing sound of a police siren on its way to the next call, or see a patrol car on Liberty Avenue, Stanton Avenue, or Brookline Boulevard, and we read... "To Protect and Serve,"we will remember Officers Sciullo, Mayhle and Kelly. Our breath will catch. Our eyes will well with tears. Knots will form in the pits of our stomachs. Paul, Stephen and Eric brought the true meaning of the words "Protect and Serve" to life.

Our officers, one and all, showed us the way that day. We must now honor them through our conduct.

Let us go forth today and honor our fallen heroes by following the example they have set to live courageous lives dedicated to protecting and serving.

Honor them by thanking, embracing and supporting the police officers who live and work in our neighborhoods.

Honor them by respecting the sanctity of human life as we are reminded how fleeting life can be.

Honor them by offering up a prayer and support for their families, friends and colleagues in this time of grief and sorrow.

Honor them by living by the same credo that our officers do- by doing anything it takes, even at the risk of own our lives, to protect and serve our neighbors, our families, our loved ones.

Paul, Stephen and Eric -- your City, your community and your fellow officers mourn your passing. We say goodbye. We will never forget you.

Goodbye Officer Sciullo. Goodbye Officer Mayhle. Goodbye Officer Mayhle. May God bless us all.