Roll of Honor

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Sergeant

Robert M. "Whitey" Skelton, Jr.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office — Rochester, NY

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 23, 1972

Age 33

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Badge 213

The Vigil Panel 110 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Sergeant Robert Skelton was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a vehicle being operated by an intoxicated driver at the intersection of Clover Street and Tobey Road. On the rainy evening of June 21, 1972, Sergeant Robert Skelton, Jr., was on patrol in the Town of Pittsford. At about 8:30 p.m., Sergeant Skelton was southbound on Clover Street when an intoxicated northbound driver crossed into Sergeant Skelton's lane. Although Sergeant Skelton pulled to the right, he could not avoid the oncoming car. He was taken to the hospital, where he died 30 hours later. The other driver was taken to the hospital in serious condition but did survive his injuries. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Sergeant Skelton was a United States Army veteran who served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office for ten years and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 1971.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife and 3-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-B61F72A6
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Skelton gave the Monroe County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Location Rochester, NY

Platform Identity mcso.monroe.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 23, 1972

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 33

Badge Number 213

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Arrested

Military Service

Robert M. "Whitey" Skelton, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Sergeant Robert M. "Whitey" Skelton, Jr. 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

of 10 officers

40% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious