James Skinner

Peoria Police Dept. — Peoria, IL

Accident

End of Watch July 13, 1912

Age 50

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Sergeant James Skinner was shot and killed while he and his partner were arresting one of two drunken men who were fighting each other on Green Street. As the officers were handcuffing the suspect a struggle ensued and the suspect hit Sergeant Skinner's partner's hand causing his revolver he was holding to discharge, striking Sergeant Skinner.

Survivors

Sergeant Skinner was survived by his wife and children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-F372F92F
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Skinner served with the Peoria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Skinner.

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

Agency

Department Peoria Police Dept.

Location Peoria, IL

Platform Identity ppd.peoria.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 13, 1912

Age 50

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Not available

Sergeant James Skinner is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 4.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.

At Peoria Police Dept., 6 of 15 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Peoria Police Dept.

of 15 officers

40% Accident

IL — Statewide

354

of 1,318 officers

26.9% Accident

Nationwide

10,088

of 32,508 officers

31% Accident