Memorial to slain Pittsburgh officers dedicated

Monday, October 10, 2011 ~ 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."

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.

James Simon, the sculptor, spoke briefly. "I hope this memorial celebrates and affirms their lives and brings something beautiful and positive to this painful memory," he said.

Greg Sciullo, a cousin of Officer Sciullo, spoke on behalf of all three officers' families. The outpouring of donations and concern has shown that the officers "have not and will not be forgotten," he said, through tears.

Officer Sciullo was a member of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish. Officers Mayhle and Kelly were Protestant.

The site wasn't chosen for religious reasons but because it is prominent on the main traffic corridor through that part of Pittsburgh, Father Dinello said. A makeshift memorial appeared there immediately after the killings.

"This memorial garden doesn't belong to St. Joseph Church or to the city. It belongs to the people of the city who were so instrumental in making it happen," Father Dinello said.

A desperately needed $20,000 came in over the past two weeks, after city Councilman Bill Peduto made a plea for funds. Many others contributed earlier. Father Dinello introduced Joe Rodgers, a freshman at Central Catholic High School, who shoveled sidewalks all winter and donated all of his earnings to the fund.

The rainstorm had subsided as Michael Huss, Pittsburgh director of public safety, spoke of the three fallen officers saying, "We know they are up there and serving us as we speak."

The sun burst out as the Pittsburgh Police Pipes & Drums struck up "Amazing Grace."