Jackson Police Department, Mississippi
End of Watch: Thursday, August 19, 1971
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 18, 1971
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled
Lieutenant William Skinner was shot and killed during a standoff with a group of militants who were barricaded in a house. Lieutenant Skinner was standing beneath a tree when he was struck in the head by a single round that had been fired from underneath the house.
Another Jackson officer and a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent were also wounded during the shootout.
Eleven suspects were arrested and charged with Lieutenant Skinner's murder. Only a few of the suspects were convicted and sentenced to very short sentences.
Lieutenant Skinner had served with the Jackson Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by three sons, all of whom became law enforcement officers.