Pottsville Bureau of Police held a brief ceremony outside City Hall on Friday afternoon to recognize Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Officers in full uniform stood at attention for a flag ceremony and then proceeded to a memorial in the City Hall parking lot, where a memorial plaque and garden is placed in the memory of Patrolman Morgan Skidmore, who served on the force for 14 years.
Skidmore is the lone Pottsville police officer to lose his life in the line of duty. That happened on April 16, 1928, when he was shot and killed by a child who was suspected of stealing chickens.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, when Skidmore arrived at the child’s home, he was confronted by the boy’s mother who said he wasn’t home. As he turned around to leave, the boy appeared and fatally shot Skidmore in the back.
At the ceremony, Detective Joe Krammes, who also serves as FOP Lodge president, laid a wreath at the memorial plaque site. He then read aloud the Police Officer’s Prayer.
“We never want to forget him and remember that it’s possible when doing our job,” Krammes tells Coal Region Canary.
The wreath for Friday’s ceremony was donated by Pod & Petal. Landscaping at the memorial garden was donated by B&H Landscaping.
Coal Region Canary photos
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