Fallen Heroes Memorial by James Simon

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In 2009 Pittsburgh lost three of its heroes. No, they didn’t play for the Steelers. The sports they were known for were high school hockey and neighborhood baseball games. As adults these three men served as our police officers and lost their lives protecting us.

On a sad morning in Stanton Heights, these men were ruthlessly gunned down. Pittsburgh had not lost an officer in the line of duty in the previous 18 years and the shock of this tragedy hit our city hard.

Two years later, a memorial was dedicated to their memory and in tribute to all of our first responders. Sculptor James Simon created the memorial with input from the officer’s families. At its dedication Mr Simon said that he hoped this memorial celebrates and affirms their lives and brings something beautiful and positive to this painful memory.

The memorial depicts Michael the Archangel – the patron saint of police. The protector and leader of the army of God against the forces of evil, Saint Michael is known in Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions. The sculpture is cast in 300 pounds of concrete.

Michael the Archangel stands on a pedestal with photographs of the three officers killed that day in April: Eric G. Kelly, Paul J. Sciullo II, and Stephen J. Mayhle.

Beside the sculpture is a stainless steel shield manufactured by Forms+Surfaces in Etna.