Memorial to Earl A. Skinner

End of Watch: June 9, 1926
Rank: Officer, Badge No. N/A
Years of Service: 5 years
Age: 38
Location of Death: 21st and L streets, NW

Circumstance:

While operating a motorcycle with Officer JJ Ramsey in the sidecar, Officer Skinner responded to a burglar alarm in a Code One status. At the intersection of 21st and L streets, NW, the motorcycle struck a curb while trying to avoid an accident. Officer Skinner was thrown from the motorcycle, receiving a fatal blow to the chest. Officer Ramsey received only bruises.

Biography:

Motorcycle Officer Skinner had been with the Metropolitan Police Department for five years. He was married and had one child.

Articles from the Washington Post – transcribed by Dave Richardson, MPD/Ret.
THE DEATH OF OFFICER EARL A. SKINNER
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED JUNE 8, 1926, PAGE 1
TWO POLICEMEN HURT IN ANSWERING ALARM.
MOTORCYCLE SIDESWIPES CURB IN DRIVER’S EFFORT TO AVOID COLLISION.
WIND CAUSES DAMAGE.
Two policemen were injured late yesterday afternoon, one seriously, when the motorcycle they were riding at a high rate of speed, in answer to a burglar alarm at the home of Walter D. Denagre, 1315 16th Street, NW, struck the curbing at 21st and L streets, NW, after successfully avoiding a crash with a passing automobile. Policeman Earl A. Skinner, of the Third precinct, is in Emergency Hospital, suffering from a fracture of the right shoulder and serious body bruises and shock. He is also suffering from other undetermined injuries. Policeman J.J. Ramsey, of the Third precinct, who was riding in the sidecar of the motorcycle, received lacerations about the face, a sprained back and bruises on the arms and legs.

Shortly after 4 o’clock the wind caused a swinging window at the home of Mr Denegre to crash against the window sill, breaking the glass and establishing a contact with the burglar alarm.

Policeman Skinner, who was at the station house at the time, answered the alarm with Policeman Ramsey, while reserves from the precinct followed in the police patrol. While passing down L Street, an automobile swung across the path of the motorcycle. In an effort to prevent a collision, Skinner swung to the right, crashing into the curbing before he could jam on the brakes.

Skinner was thrown over the handlebars of the motorcycle, landing heavily on the sidewalk. Ramsey was jammed in the sidecar, which was badly damaged. Both men were picked up by the patrol and taken to the hospital.

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(A WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED JUNE 13, 1926, REPORTED OFFICER SKINNER DIED FROM HIS INJURIES AT EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.)