Memorial to slain Pittsburgh officers dedicated

2012-03-29 23:32:57
  • The rain pours down as sculptor James Simon, far left, and Paul Sciullo, center, unwrap Mr. Simon's sculpture of St. Michael. The unveiling followed a memorial Mass at St. Joseph Church in Bloomfield for the three slain police officers.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    The rain pours down as sculptor James Simon, far left, and Paul Sciullo, center, unwrap Mr. Simon's sculpture of St. Michael. The unveiling followed a memorial Mass at St. Joseph Church in Bloomfield for the three slain police officers.
  • 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.
  • Danyelle Kelly-Cheatham, sister of slain Officer Eric G. Kelly, comforts her niece and Officer Kelly's daughter, Janelle Kelly, center in light shirt, at a gathering of about 30 people at Sunnyside Public school in Stanton Heights to mark the second anniversary of the shooting deaths of officers Kelly, Paul J. Sciullo II and Stephen J. Mayhle.
    Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
    Danyelle Kelly-Cheatham, sister of slain Officer Eric G. Kelly, comforts her niece and Officer Kelly's daughter, Janelle Kelly, center in light shirt, at a gathering of about 30 people at Sunnyside Public school in Stanton Heights to mark the second anniversary of the shooting deaths of officers Kelly, Paul J. Sciullo II and Stephen J. Mayhle.
  • Flowers are placed in front of the boarded-up Stanton Heights home of Richard Poplawski to mark the second anniversary of the deaths of Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen J. Mayhle and Eric G. Kelly. The officers were were killed outside the house on April 4, 2009.
    Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
    Flowers are placed in front of the boarded-up Stanton Heights home of Richard Poplawski to mark the second anniversary of the deaths of Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen J. Mayhle and Eric G. Kelly. The officers were were killed outside the house on April 4, 2009.
  • Jennifer, 8. and Brooklynn Mayhle, 5, clutch a plaque and flowers presented to their family in remembrance of their father, Officer Stephen J. Mayhle, who was killed on duty April 4, 2009. Plaques were also presented to the families of Officers Eric G. Kelly and Paul J. Sciullo II following the dedication of a sculpture of St. Michael as a memorial to the slain officers.
    Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
    Jennifer, 8. and Brooklynn Mayhle, 5, clutch a plaque and flowers presented to their family in remembrance of their father, Officer Stephen J. Mayhle, who was killed on duty April 4, 2009. Plaques were also presented to the families of Officers Eric G. Kelly and Paul J. Sciullo II following the dedication of a sculpture of St. Michael as a memorial to the slain officers.
  • About 30 people gathered at Sunnyside Public school in Stanton Heights to mark the second anniversary of the shooting deaths of Pittsburgh police Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen Mayhle and Eric G. Kelly, who were killed by a gunman in Stanton Heights on April 4, 2009.
    Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
    About 30 people gathered at Sunnyside Public school in Stanton Heights to mark the second anniversary of the shooting deaths of Pittsburgh police Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen Mayhle and Eric G. Kelly, who were killed by a gunman in Stanton Heights on April 4, 2009.

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By Ann Rodgers / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When the skies poured rain just as the Rev. John Dinello sprinkled holy water on the new memorial to three police officers slain two years ago, he told the crowd that it appeared that "God has already given his blessing."

Hundreds of people -- including many police officers and government officials -- packed St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bloomfield for the Mass and dedication ceremony. Although the statue of St. Michael the Archangel -- patron of police officers -- appears to stand on church property, the tiny memorial garden is a separate nonprofit corporation. The land was donated by both the city and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Officers Paul J. Sciullo II, Stephen J. Mayhle and Eric G. Kelly were killed by a gunman in Stanton Heights on April 4, 2009. The memorial is intended to honor them and all first responders.

Father Dinello spoke of his own profound belief in angels. Michael is considered the highest of all angels and the protector of all who serve as guardians on earth, he said.

St. Michael called the three officers "to join his guard in heaven," Father Dinello said. "Their service to the community will never die, will never be forgotten and will continue to live on in the community. ... They watch over us from heaven."

PG VIDEO: BLOOMFIELD MEMORIAL

The service included a new hymn, composed in the officers' honor, and sung to the tune Thaxted, best known as "I Vow to Thee, My Country." The new lyrics include, "For all who strive here daily to serve the common good/ For ev'ry first responder in ev'ry neighborhood/ We pray you, God of heaven, to keep them safe and true/ that all their ceaseless labors be recognized by you/ Sing praise to God, you faithful, whose love has drawn us clear/ whose favor lasts a lifetime, whose grace defeats all fear."

After Mass everyone gathered in front of the church, with the street blocked off. The Fallen Heroes Memorial depicts a strong but sorrowful St. Michael, standing atop a pedestal in which photographs of the three officers are embedded. Behind that image is a huge police shield bearing the numbers 4/4/09, the date of the officers' deaths. A rainbow of tulips bloomed in the small garden around it.

Ann Rodgers: arodgers@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1416.
First Published April 5, 2011 12:00 am
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