2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 327
Celebrating the life of John James Skinner, Jr.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2025
WHEREAS, John James Skinner, Jr., an esteemed law-enforcement officer, former chief of police of the City of Fairfax Police Department and the City of Manassas Police Department, and beloved member of the communities of Manassas and New Bern, North Carolina, died on November 24, 2024; and
WHEREAS, John Skinner earned a bachelor's degree with honors in the administration of criminal justice from American University in 1974 and also completed postgraduate work in public administration at George Mason University; and
WHEREAS, John Skinner also graduated with honors from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and further advanced his expertise during his career through the Police Executive Development program at Penn State University and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Law Enforcement Executive Development School; and
WHEREAS, over his distinguished 37-year law-enforcement career, John Skinner served in various leadership capacities, including in line, supervisory, command, and administrative management positions; and
WHEREAS, in his earlier years, John Skinner served the nation as a member of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division protecting the White House and as a clerk for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
WHEREAS, John Skinner joined the City of Fairfax Police Department in 1975 as an officer and rose through the ranks to ultimately serve as chief of police from 1993 until his retirement from the agency in 1998; and
WHEREAS, after retiring from the City of Fairfax, John Skinner honorably served as the chief of police of the City of Manassas Police Department from April 1998 to May 2010, during which time the department achieved an enhanced accreditation standard through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, John Skinner was respected for his professionalism and commitment to excellence and cherished by all who knew him for his sharp wit, great sense of humor, and devotion to his family and community; and
WHEREAS, John Skinner will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Shirley; his children, Aaron and Jessica, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of John James Skinner, Jr., a dedicated law-enforcement officer whose leadership and service made an impact on countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John James Skinner, Jr. as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.