Services Set For Southampton Police Chief: 'We Will Miss Him Dearly'

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — As a heartbroken community mourns his loss, services have been set for Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki, who died Thursday at 69.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, located at 125 W. Old Country Road in Hicksville. A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, located at 37 Union Avenue in Amityville. Interment will follow at the Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, located at 2030 Wellwood Avenue in Farmingdale.

Skrynecki also served the Nassau County Police Department for 40 years, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said.

According to his son Scott, Skrynecki died after a battle with cancer.

"Chief Skrynecki was one of the finest individuals I have ever known," Schneiderman said. "He led a distinguished career in law enforcement, which included serving as our police chief for six years. Chief Skrynecki always made public safety his highest priority. Southampton Town is forever grateful for his service and offer our sincere condolences to his family."

He added: "He was a great man — he did a tremendous job for the town of Southampton."

Skrynecki's son Scott told Patch: "My father was incredibly tender, loving, giving and nurturing to everybody in his family. And I think he brought that to his public service in a way that made him even greater as a police officer and a leader."

He added: "He loved us. He loved music. And he loved the waters of Long Island. We will miss him terribly."

And, his son said: "My father dedicated his life to law enforcement and serving the public at a very young age. I am overwhelmed with pride to follow the example he has set. But the center of his life and his greatest gift to us was his dedication to his family and beloved friends. We will miss him dearly.”

Southampton Town Police issued a statement Thursday: "The loss of such an honorable and respected officer will be felt across law enforcement from New York City to the East End of Long Island. He dedicated himself to the profession while imparting his vast experience and knowledge to the people who worked alongside him. Chief Skrynecki strived to make his communities a safer place for residents and visitors alike. Chief Skrynecki will be missed by not only the residents of Southampton, Southampton Town Police, and Nassau County Police but by the many people he touched throughout his 47 years of service. Please keep the Skrynecki family in your prayers."

Others mourned his loss: "He was a true professional, always moving law enforcement forward, and always focused on community safety while never losing sight of the needs of the officers," said East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo. "His passion for policing was unparalleled, and we will miss his insight and support. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time."

Drew Scott, a longtime news anchor who served with Skrynecki on the Southampton Town Opioid Addiction Task force, reflected on a man who touched so many lives. "He was a tremendous comfort to my family after the death of my granddaughter Hallie Rae. He was caring and kind to all he met, and a true professional who loved his job. We will miss Steve on the committee for his guidance and knowledge of the law.”

Skrynecki was hired as police chief in Southampton in 2016.

Schneiderman said at the time he was hired that Skrynecki, was a "highly decorated and respected law enforcement officer. We are thrilled that he's accepted our offer. I think he'll be a tremendous leader for our police department."

Skrynecki, he said, also served in a plethora of other positions with the Nassau County Police Department, including chief of detectives, commanding officer in internal affairs, narcotics/vice squad, robbery and vehicle theft squads, and the Second Precinct.

Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman and Commissioner of Police Patrick J. Ryder expressed their deep sorrow at "the untimely death of retired Nassau County Police Department, four-star Chief of Department Skrynecki.

Skrynecki began his 43-year law enforcement career with the Nassau County Police Department on July 12, 1974 as a recruit and steadily rose through the ranks of police officer, detective, sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, detective lieutenant, captain, detective captain, deputy inspector, inspector, deputy chief, assistant chief, chief of detectives and the department's highest-ranking uniformed officer, chief of department, Blakeman and Ryder said.

The chief was also appointed to many specialized units and designations due to his experience, expertise, and dedication, including chief hostage negotiator, commanding officer of the narcotics vice bureau, internal affairs, robbery squad, and numerous precinct squads. He was also a decorated officer that was awarded numerous medals with the highest being the Medal of Distinguished Service for bravery, both said.

He was also a member of many other fraternal and law enforcement organizations within and outside of the police department, they said, adding that his "most beloved" organization was the Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, where he was the founder and had been the lead drummer for the past 48 years. He was also a supporter of the Holy Name Society, Municipal Chiefs Association, and was a past graduate of the FBI Academy.

"The chief was always known for his tireless 24/7 work ethic and his ability to balance the many demands of the job and taking care of his family. Often the chief would be the first at work and the last to leave," they said.

"Chief Skrynecki will always be known for his many leadership qualities, which contributed to his various promotions. The chief retired from the Nassau County Police Department in 2017, after he was offered the job as chief of the Southampton Police Department. What quickly became Nassau’s loss was Southampton’s gain, due to the chief’s expertise in police management, his ability to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies, and the trust he gained with communities and residents along the way. Our hearts, prayers and condolences go out to the entire Skrynecki family and their friends, the Nassau County Police Department and the Southampton Police Department during our shared time of grief," Blakeman and Ryder said.

Added Blakeman: “Steve Skrynecki was the consummate law enforcement professional who served Nassau County with great distinction, culminating in his leadership as Chief of Department in the Nassau County Police Department, the highest uniformed position. The region has lost a great leader and I have lost a dear friend.”

Ryder also added: “I have known Steve Skrynecki for over 35 years and can say that he was the best of the best in law enforcement. When I started as a cop I worked with Steve as he was a detective in the 3rd Squad. When Steve made sergeant, I worked for him and when he was again promoted to detective sergeant, I had the pleasure of working cases with him while I was in the bureau of special operations. When I was promoted to deputy commissioner I took over Steve’s office as he had just been appointed to the chief in Southampton Town. We go back a long way and had many conversations about how proud Steve was of his son Scott, who is a detective sergeant on our job and his daughter Kathryn."

Skrynecki, Ryder, added, loved playing drums in the pipe band. "It was so special that he and his son Scott were able to play in the band together as Scott was also a drummer. This man will be sorely missed for his dedication to law enforcement and even more missed by many others, as he was so dedicated to his family and friends. My condolences go out to all.”

In addition, Skrynecki served in a security capacity at the presidential debate in 2016.
Skrynecki replaced Southampton Town Police Chief Robert Pearce, who announced his retirement in 2016.