In two ceremonies, six police officers who died in the line of duty were honored.

In the morning, about 400 police officers gathered for the dedication of a plaque honoring Officer Gary Skerski at Castor Avenue and Arrott Street in Frankford. Skerski, 46, was shot to death there outside Pat's Cafe on May 8, 2006, when he and his partner confronted a robber.

Two hours later, the annual Police and Fire Memorial Ceremony was held at the Living Flame Memorial at Franklin Square at Sixth and Race Streets. That gathering saluted Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, who was gunned down Saturday morning; Officer Charles Cassidy, fatally shot in October; and Officers Thomas Duggan, John C. Stratton and Walter T. Barclay Jr.

"It's too beautiful, it's too warm, it's too sunny," District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham said at the plaque dedication for Skerski, which was attended by his wife, Anne; his son, Robert; and his daughter Nicole. "It's an indication that God always brings us into the light."

John McNesby, president of Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police, recalled hearing the news of Skerski's murder - he was killed by a shotgun blast during a robbery - almost exactly two years earlier.

"I got the call - the call we all dread," McNesby said.

Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey attended both ceremonies. At the Skerski remembrance, he said he was "proud to be here and work among these heroes."

"I wish I could say when all this violence will end," Ramsey said. Skerski's killing, he said, "reminds us how dangerous this job can be."

Holding back tears, Anne Skerski thanked police and the community for their support.

"Gary was a good family man. He was a great husband. In fact, next Wednesday would be our 20th wedding anniversary. He was a terrific dad. We were his first priority," she said.

Mayor Nutter, who greeted members of the Skerski family, said it was time "to change the culture and mind-set of people around here who think somehow they can just raise weapons at folks or do other things that put our employees in danger. People in Philadelphia are just sick and tired of this kind of activity."

At the memorial at Franklin Square, City Managing Director Camille Barnett hailed those remembered there for giving "the last full measure of dedication."

Said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers: "Today we stand to continue this memorial so the young children know to keep that warm feeling of what that loved one meant to you."

Nutter and Ramsey placed wreaths at the Living Flame Memorial, a circular plaza bearing the names of officers killed in the line of duty.

Liczbinski, 39, of the 24th Police District, was shot Saturday by one of three bank robbers in Port Richmond. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and children, Matthew, Amber and Stephen.

Cassidy, 54, of the 35th Police District, was shot Oct. 31 as he walked in on a robbery at a Dunkin' Donuts on Broad Street in West Oak Lane. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and children, Katie, Nicole and John.

Duggan, 33, died in 1972 two days after a student punched him in the chest at George Washington HIgh School during an altercation.

Stratton, 39, died in 1970 of injuries he received when he helped arrest five suspects in a disorderly-conduct case in the Northeast.

Barclay, 64, died in September of injuries prosecutors say he sustained in 1966 when he was shot while trying to halt a burglary at a beauty shop in East Oak Lane. He was paralyzed from the waist down.