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Incident
Patrolman Charles Skeen was shot and killed as he and another officer responded to a domestic incident at a home at 712 Seventeenth Avenue around 4:30 p.m. As he stepped onto the porch, a suspect inside opened fire, striking him and almost instantly killing him. The other officer, who had gone around to the back of the home, immediately ran to Patrolman Skeen's aid as other officers were called to the scene. One of the responding officers exchanged shots with the suspect and then chased him into a neighbor's yard, where the officer and the suspect were both shot and wounded. The suspect was then taken into custody. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 29, 1926. He died there in 1964. Patrolman Skeen had served with the Middletown Police Department for 14 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, his parents, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Skeen gave the Middletown Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Middletown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Skeen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Middletown Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 1 officer at Middletown Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 3.
In 1926, 15 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 32. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Middletown Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 32; the middle age was 32. Charles had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 1.5 years.
Charles was 32. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Middletown Police Department; May holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 40%.
April holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Middletown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Middletown Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Middletown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
