Hart County Board of Commissioners, Georgia
End of Watch Sunday, November 2, 1924
Add to My HeroesLinton Snow Skelton
County Policeman Linton Snow Skelton was shot and killed as he and the sheriff-elect attempted to serve a warrant on a man at his home five miles west of Hartwell, Georgia.
As the two officers approached the door, the suspect opened fire with a double barrel shotgun. The first shot struck Policeman Skelton in the face and neck, killing him. Several pellets from the second shot struck the sheriff-elect in the hand and body.
The suspect, age 40, fled through the rear of the house and was pursued by a posse. On July 15, 1951, a 67-year-old homeless man was arrested in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for prowling. It was soon discovered he was wanted for the murder of Policeman Skelton. He was extradited back to Georgia and jailed for murder. Even though the suspects identity was know at the time of the murder, he was released after four surviving witnesses failed to pick him out of a line up.
Policeman Skelton had served as a special officer for the Hart County Board of Commissioners for approximately three years. He was survived by his wife, four sons, and three daughters.
Bio
- Age 42
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Apprehended in 1951 and released
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsRest in Peace, Policeman Skelton. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
March 31, 2012
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024