New Castle Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 17, 1904
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 1 month
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 17, 1904
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1913
Officer Frank Skidmore was shot and killed near the intersection of Paper Mill Road and Cascade Street as he and another officer attempted to arrest a suspect for the theft of some chickens. As they arrived at the man's house and informed him he was to be placed under arrest he opened fire killing Officer Skidmore and seriously wounding his partner.
The suspect was apprehended nearly nine months later and convicted of manslaughter; he was released in 1911 and given a full pardon in 1914.
Officer Skidmore had been with the agency for only six weeks and was the first officer of the agency killed in the line of duty. He was survived by his wife and child.