Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal John Skaggs was shot and killed in Henderson, Kentucky, while returning a prisoner to the Henderson County Jail. The prisoner had been arrested the previous week for stealing a horse in Leitchfield. As the marshal and the prisoner walked through Henderson's central park en route to the jail the prisoner produced a pistol, he got from an unknown source, and shot Marshal Skaggs, The prisoner then fled the area.
The 18-year-old prisoner was re-arrested after a chase in Daviess County the following week. He tried to blame the murder on a unknown man who walked up behind them and shot the marshal. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life on February 8, 1911.
Town Marshal Skaggs was survived by his wife and daughter. He was buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.
Survivors
Town Marshal Skaggs was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-B7868DFE- Stewardship
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Skaggs served with the Clarkson Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clarkson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Skaggs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal John T. Skaggs is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.9 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John T. Skaggs's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Skaggs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Skaggs is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Skaggs was killed by gun; unknown type.