PORT DICKINSON, N.Y. (AP) — Hundreds have gathered at a church to pay final respects to a New York state trooper who was struck and killed by a pickup truck.
A long line of mourners who came Monday to honor Christopher Skinner stretched down the street from Community Baptist Church in Port Dickinson. The 42-year-old Skinner was killed during a routine traffic stop last Thursday on Interstate 81 near Binghamton along New York’s Southern Tier.
Sixty-year-old Almond Upton, of Melrose, Florida, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Skinner’s death. Upton has admitted deliberately swerving to hit Skinner, a 13-year veteran of the state police.
Skinner served in Troops C, E and G. He’s survived by his mother, brother, fiancee Surrena Gould, and two children.
Funeral services are Tuesday in Johnson City.
