Illinois State Police, Illinois
End of Watch Thursday, May 20, 1982
Add to My HeroesBernard Delano Skeeters
Trooper Bernard Skeeters was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer on I-55.
Working a safety detail at about 9:00 a.m., Trooper Skeeters was patrolling southbound on I-55 behind an Illinois Department of Transportation paint truck. A semi-trailer truck driver, having fallen asleep behind the wheel, slammed into Trooper Skeeters' squad car. Trooper Skeeters' squad car was forced into the IDOT paint truck which was carrying flammable paints and thinners. Both the squad car and paint truck exploded and were engulfed in flames. The three-vehicle accident instantly killed Trooper Skeeters. The drivers of both the IDOT truck and the semi-trailer survived the accident.
The semi-trailer driver was charged with reckless homicide. However, a jury could not reach a unanimous decision to convict him.
Trooper Bernard Skeeters was a U.S Army veteran of the Vietnam war who served with the Illinois State Police for 12 years and was assigned to District 9 in Springfield. He was survived by his wife and three sons.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour 12 years
- Badge 1736
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Automobile crash
Most Recent Reflection
View all 36 ReflectionsTrooper Skeeters thank you for your service to the community and country. We just passed the Memorial highway sign as we headed home to Wisconsin and looked you up on ODMP. Respect Honor and forever Remembered
G. Anne Birkholz
Mother of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD
February 28, 2023
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