Memorial to fallen officers dedicated

April 4, 2011 2:35 pm
  • The families of slain Pittsburgh police officers Stephen Mayhle, Eric Kelly and Paul Sciullo II listen to speakers during the dedication of the sculpture of St. Michael.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    The families of slain Pittsburgh police officers Stephen Mayhle, Eric Kelly and Paul Sciullo II listen to speakers during the dedication of the sculpture of St. Michael.
  • Artist James Simon, left, unwraps his sculpture of St. Michael as a memorial to three slain Pittsburgh police officers following a memorial Mass at St. Joseph Church, Bloomfield.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    Artist James Simon, left, unwraps his sculpture of St. Michael as a memorial to three slain Pittsburgh police officers following a memorial Mass at St. Joseph Church, Bloomfield.
  • The daughters of slain officer Stephen Mayhle -- Jennifer, 8, left, and Brooklynn, 5, clutch a plaque and flowers presented to the families of Mayhle, Eric Kelly and Paul Sciullo II following the dedication of a sculpture of St. Michael.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    The daughters of slain officer Stephen Mayhle -- Jennifer, 8, left, and Brooklynn, 5, clutch a plaque and flowers presented to the families of Mayhle, Eric Kelly and Paul Sciullo II following the dedication of a sculpture of St. Michael.
  • The Rev. John Dinello offers communion during a memorial Mass that was celebrated before the dedication of a memorial to the three Pittsburgh police officers.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    The Rev. John Dinello offers communion during a memorial Mass that was celebrated before the dedication of a memorial to the three Pittsburgh police officers.
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By Ann Rodgers / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hundreds of people packed St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bloomfield today to remember three police officers killed two years ago and to dedicate a memorial in their honor.

PG VIDEO: BLOOMFIELD MEMORIAL

"Their service to the community will never die, will never be forgotten," the Rev. John Dinello said of Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen Mayhle and Eric G. Kelly, who were killed by a gunman in Stanton Heights on April 4, 2009. "They watch over us from heaven."

The memorial statue is of a strong but sorrowful St. Michael the Archangel, the patron of police officers, standing on a mosaic pedestal with embedded photographs of the three officers. It was erected in a small memorial garden on land granted by both the City of Pittsburgh and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Money is still being raised for the memorial, partly through the sale of small memorial police shields bearing the number 4/4/09. For more information about the memorial see http://www.bloomfieldnow.com/pittsburgh-fallen-heroes-fund/

The street in front of St. Joseph's was blocked off during the Mass and memorial dedication by some of the many police officers who attended the service.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First Published April 4, 2011 2:35 pm

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