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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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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Clarkson Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 30. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
John was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clarkson Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
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