Mourners gather at funeral home for wake of slain Cleveland Police Officer James Skernivitz

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Visitation hours for James Skernivitz, the Cleveland detective who was killed in the line of duty, were held on Thursday afternoon.

Fellow law enforcement officers, family, and community members gathered for the wake at A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home in Middleburg Heights.

“On behalf of the Cleveland Division of Police, The City of Cleveland, the men and women in the division, I just want to thank the City of Cleveland and all of N.E. Ohio for all their prayers and support for Jimmy and his family at this time,” said Chief Calvin Williams. "At times like these, we really see how much we support each other in N.E. Ohio.

Williams said, “Det. Skernivitz’s family see it. They feel it, and they appreciate it.” He added, “I just want to let N.E. Ohio and the City of Cleveland know we really appreciate the support. Jimmy was a great guy, he worked hard doing the things we need done in this city and he’s going to be missed. He’s really going to be missed.”

Skernivitz, 53, was working undercover when he was fatally shot on Sept. 3 while sitting in a parked car on Cleveland’s West side during an apparent attempted robbery, according to investigators.

A civilian passenger sitting in Skernivitz’s unmarked police car was also killed during the incident.

Three people have been charged in connection to Skernivitz’s death; an 18-year-old and two teenagers.

Funeral services for Skernivitz was moved from St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday at 10 a.m.

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