A life term and courtroom's scorn

Before a courtroom packed with blue uniforms and stone-faced family members yesterday, the man who killed a beloved police officer in a barroom ambush last year pleaded guilty to murder.

Before being sentenced to life imprisonment - thus avoiding the death penalty - Solomon Montgomery, 25, apologized to the family of Officer Gary Skerski, 46, the father of two children. He singled out Skerski's wife, Anne, for "taking a stand" and "having the courage" to agree to the plea deal.

Anne Skerski, who wept throughout the proceeding, made no comment afterward, and Montgomery's apology did not sit well with the officers in the room. Said one: "My response wouldn't be printable."

During sentencing, Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Minehart branded Montgomery "an urban terrorist." The North Philadelphia man pleaded guilty to all charges: first-degree murder, attempted murder, and 14 robbery counts.

Skerski, a 16-year veteran widely described as a consummate community police officer, was working overtime when he and his partner responded to a robbery-in-progress call on May 8, 2006, at Pat's Cafe in the Norwood section of Northeast Philadelphia.

As Skerski approached the back door, Montgomery unleashed a shotgun blast that hit him in the neck. Montgomery then shot several times at Skerski's partner, William Alexander, who was able to jump out of the line of fire.

In a dramatic confrontation 10 days later, Montgomery was arrested in East Germantown after officers chased him down and shot him as he reached into his back pocket, apparently for a weapon. Police said he had been carrying two handguns.

His capture, ending the biggest manhunt in recent Philadelphia history, involved homicide detectives working with federal agents and the posting of a $125,000 reward.

Prosecutor Jude Conroy fought back tears several times yesterday as he characterized Skerski's courage and devotion to duty and family.

"When they sign on, it's honor, integrity and service. He made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the price for the people in that bar. The people of Philadelphia lost a valiant hero," Conroy said.

After the sentence was announced, Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson said he was satisfied with the plea deal because the Skerski family would not be traumatized further by a lengthy trial that would include video of the robbery and killing.

"He's a murderer, a convicted murderer who won't walk the streets again," Johnson said.

Skerski was the first Philadelphia police officer killed in the line of duty since January 1996, when Officer Lauretha Vaird was shot in the chest while responding to a bank robbery.

Throughout yesterday's hour-long court proceeding, Anne Skerski went through tissue after tissue as she silently cried. She has not spoken publicly about her husband's murder, and was accompanied by numerous relatives as she left the courtroom, weeping.

Before the sentencing, Officer Charles Calter, who took Skerski to the hospital, described him to the judge as a friend and mentor.

"Just knowing Gary made me a better cop, a better father and a better husband."

Looking directly at Montgomery, Calter declared: "This man's getting off lucky."

Montgomery's mother, Carolyn Montgomery, clutched a Bible and rocked back and forth as the judge praised Skerski as "a true hero who went into the face of death."

Members of Montgomery's family reportedly cooperated with police in tracking him down. A woman who identified herself yesterday as his aunt said some relatives, whom she declined to name, shared in the reward; Conroy said he knew of no such deal.

Montgomery, who wore a mask during the robbery attempt, had ordered the dozen or so bar patrons to take take off their jewelry and give up their cash, and he withdrew money from an ATM inside. When Skerski and Alexander pulled up, Montgomery warned his victims that he was a wanted man and would not be taken down.

"This ain't Halloween," he said.

He made the customers draw the shades and lured Skerski in by leaving the back door partly open.