Roll of Honor
Incident
County Policeman Linton Snow Skelton was shot and killed as he and the sheriff-elect attempted to serve a warrant on a man at his home five miles west of Hartwell, Georgia.
As the two officers approached the door, the suspect opened fire with a double barrel shotgun. The first shot struck Policeman Skelton in the face and neck, killing him. Several pellets from the second shot struck the sheriff-elect in the hand and body.
The suspect, age 40, fled through the rear of the house and was pursued by a posse. On July 15, 1951, a 67-year-old homeless man was arrested in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for prowling. It was soon discovered he was wanted for the murder of Policeman Skelton. He was extradited back to Georgia and jailed for murder. Even though the suspects identity was know at the time of the murder, he was released after four surviving witnesses failed to pick him out of a line up.
Policeman Skelton had served as a special officer for the Hart County Board of Commissioners for approximately three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-2708DEA4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
County Policeman Skelton gave the Hart County Board of Commissioners 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hartwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, County Policeman Skelton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
County Policeman Linton Snow Skelton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Linton Snow Skelton's cause is highlighted.
How Linton Snow Skelton Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended in 1951 and released
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Linton Snow Skelton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Linton Snow Skelton was killed by shotgun.