Police Week honors Smith & Skinner anniversaries

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) — Ten years ago, over the course of two months, Greater Binghamton was rocked by two police officer line of duty deaths that will be commemorated next week.

Johnson City Police in conjunction with New York State Police and the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Memorial Association announced plans for Police Week.

The annual activities are dedicated this year to the memories of JC Police Officer DW Smith, who was murdered on March 31, 2014 and New York State Trooper Christopher Skinner who was intentionally struck and killed on May 29, 2014.

JC Police Chief Brent Dodge says both deaths illustrate the fact that there are no routine calls when it comes to police work.

“We carry on this tradition to keep their names alive and to act as a sobering reminder of the ever-present dangers we all face. This year is especially emotional for many of us here because it commemorates the 10th anniversary of the line of duty deaths of Officer D.W. Smith and Trooper Christopher Skinner,” Dodge said.

Among the activities planned for next week is the annual Police Memorial Breakfast taking place Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Binghamton. This year, rather than scheduling a keynote speaker, the breakfast will feature a pair of videos, one a tribute to DW Smith and the other a reflection on the impact Christopher’s death had on the Skinner family, produced by his cousin Tim who is a media arts professor at SUNY Broome.

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Sharyn Skinner is Christopher’s mom.

“It’s hard. A parent’s worst nightmare is losing a child because it’s not the order that it’s supposed to go. That part is hard. We just put something out there to focus on and do and go from there,” Skinner said.

Police Week begins Sunday at 3 p.m. with a church service at Christian Community Church of Conklin.

Then, the annual flag raising, silent procession and placing of roses takes place Monday at 11 a.m. outside the JC Police Department on Avenue C. The week finishes out with a pair of events designed to bolster relations between law enforcement and the community. There will be a cornhole tournament at the Airport Inn beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday May 10.

And the annual Community Day runs from 11 to 3 on Saturday May 11th in the parking lot outside of Target in Vestal featuring police vehicles, demonstrations and a food truck.

For a complete schedule, go to Southern Tier Law Enforcement Memorial Association on Facebook.

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