Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Skelly was shot and killed by a hitman of one of America's notorious criminals, Al Capone. The subject had been in a minor traffic collision with a citizen and insisted on paying the citizen for repairs directly instead of involving the police. As the two drove to a repair shop to get an estimate, the citizen saw Patrolman Skelly and flagged him down. The subject became nervous and attempted to drive away, but Patrolman Skelly jumped on the running board of the vehicle. The man then opened fire, striking Patrolman Skelly in the chest and knocking him to the ground. The shooter was also suspected in the murder of Patrolman George Zientara of the Toledo, Ohio, Police Department on April 16th, 1928. The man was convicted of Patrolman Skelly's murder and died in prison in 1940. A criminal associate of the man vanished in 1931 and is believed to have been killed by gangsters. This associate was involved in the murder of Marshal Peter Dumele of North College Hill, Ohio, on April 9th, 1928. Two of Al Capone's hitmen were also responsible for the murders of Patrolman Harold Olson and Patrolman Charles Walsh of the Chicago, Illinois, Police Department on June 13th, 1925. Patrolman Skelly had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for only seven months and was formerly assistant chief of the St Joseph Fire Department. Upon joining the St. Joseph Police Department, Patrolman Skelly had changed his last name from its original variation of Skalay. He is buried in Crystal Spring Cemetery at Fair Plain, Berrien County, Michigan.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-03F55A05- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Skelly served with the St. Joseph Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Skelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles H. Skelly is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 59.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At St. Joseph Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles H. Skelly's cause is highlighted.
How Charles H. Skelly Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles H. Skelly is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles H. Skelly was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
