Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Morgan E. Skidmore

Pottsville Police Department — Pottsville, PA

Felonious

End of Watch April 16, 1928

Age 50

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 55 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Skidmore was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a juvenile boy suspected of stealing chickens. Patrolman Skidmore had followed the boy to his home. When he entered the home the boy's mother confronted him and told him the boy wasn't home. When Patrolman Skidmore turned to leave the boy appeared and shot him in the back, killing him. The boy was convicted of Patrolman Skidmore's murder. He was sent to prison, served his time, and was released. Patrolman Skidmore had served with the agency for 14 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-46BCF01E
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.
Patrolman Skidmore gave the Pottsville Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pottsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Skidmore.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Pottsville Police Department

Location Pottsville, PA

Platform Identity ppd.schuylkill.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 16, 1928

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 50

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Completed his sentence

Patrolman Morgan E. Skidmore 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

Pottsville Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Morgan E. Skidmore's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Morgan E. Skidmore Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Completed his sentence

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Morgan E. Skidmore is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Morgan E. Skidmore was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518