Scott County Sheriff's Office, Virginia
End of Watch: Thursday, December 22, 1955
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: KIC 855
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 22, 1955
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Sheriff Ira Skeen was shot and killed in Slant while posting a notice at a grocery store for a special state election to change the state constitution.
He had walked out of the store when he was shot three times by a man who held a grudge against him for having previously been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and drunk in public.
The subject, 64, fled the scene and hid until the new sheriff took office. At the time, the search for the suspect had been the largest manhunt in the state. He surrendered to authorities at his home 10 days later. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Skeen was survived by his wife and five children.