Rep. Robinson Statement on the Shooting and Death of Det. detective James Skernivitz
COLUMBUS— State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) today made a statement on the death of 53-year-old Detective James Skernivitz, a 25-year veteran of the Cleveland Police Department and Brecksville resident. Det. Skernivitz was shot and killed in the line of duty Thursday night, Sept. 3rd.
“My sincere sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of Det. Skernivitz, his fellow officers at the Cleveland Police Department, and his home community of Brecksville. We should take this moment to honor and celebrate Det. Skernivitz’s life and service to Cleveland, Brecksville, and the surrounding communities.
Det. Skernivitz was an undercover officer who was committed to keeping our communities safe, including his important work to address gang activity. Recently, he was sworn in as a member of a federal violence task force with the FBI, had served as an officer at Progressive Field for many years, and most importantly was a devoted family man. From what I know, Det. Skernivitz’s death is a loss to our communities.
I only hope we all can work together to improve our society at all levels and in all aspects so we can lower, and maybe even all together prevent tragedies like this in the future,” said Rep. Robinson.