On June 16, 1868 at 12:15 am, Officer Skinner who was on duty with Officer Miller awaiting the arrival of a train was shot and killed by a drunk man, Daniel Rabenau of Taylorville, Illinois, whom he had ordered to leave the Fourteenth Street Depot. As the man began to leave but only walked a few yards away. Officer Skinner told him again to go home and Officer Skinner and walked with him for a few yards. Officer Skinner walked with the suspect for a few yards in a southeasterly direction, the suspect turned and fired a handgun, wounding Officer Skinner. Officer Miller, who had watched them from the station came to Officer Skinner's aid and was told by Officer Skinner to "go for him." Officer Miller fired a shot at Rabenau as he escaped down an embankment. Officer Miller gave a call by striking his baton on a hard surface and two more officers arrived and searched for Rabenau. The bullet fired by Rabenau had struck Officer Skinner in the chest and severed an artery causing his almost immediate death. Officer Smith responded to a later call at about 3:00 am and met with private watchman Birney who said he thought he found the suspect in the weeds, asleep and half drunk. Officer Smith took Rabenau to the station and found a gun on him. Rabenau admitted to shooting Officer Skinner.

Rabenau told newspaper reporters the next day that he had been drunk and not known the men were police officers and his gun had gone off accidentally after he drew it to protect himself. Rabenau stood trial, was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison on August 12, 1868. On November 15, 1868, it was announced that Rabenau had been pardoned by Governor Thomas Fletcher.

Officer Skinner had been with the agency for two years joining the force in 1869. Interred: Bellefontaine Cemetery, St Louis, MO.