The New Cumberland Hall of Fame will hold its induction ceremony Sunday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. One deceased and one living member of the community who had a profound impact on the town and its people will be inducted and the entire town is invited to the New Cumberland Christian Church to celebrate.
Lester Glen “Chickie” Skinner will be inducted into the New Cumberland Hall of Fame Sunday, Feb. 4. Chickie as he is know to many, serves as Chief of Police to the small town of 900, but has also extended his police duties to other towns such as Follansbee, Wellsburg and Bethany.
Born August 13, 1973, to Elizabeth Mae McLaughlin and Lester Glen “Chick” Skinner, the Skinner family has very deep roots in the history of the town. The Skinner house, where Lester now lives, may very well be the oldest house that has been passed down from generation to generation in New Cumberland.
Chickie wanted to be a policeman since he was three years old. He has recently completed his 30th year of service to Hancock and Brooke Counties as a policeman. His parents did not encourage this line of work for their son and tried to scare him by arranging to have him “ride along” with policemen they knew. However, it had the opposite effect on their son. He got more enthused with each ride. He started calling the policeman and asking them to ride along.
He went to New Cumberland Elementary and Jr. High and graduated from Oak Glen High School in 1991. He was a Cub Scout with Troop #38, played baseball in the New Cumberland Little League for nine years. He coached Little League for three years and umpired for three years. He attended the Free Methodist Church and won a medal with the CYC Bible Class of which he was very proud.
Chickie graduated from the then Jefferson Community College (now Eastern Gateway) receiving an associate degree in law enforcement. He spent 13 weeks at the WV Police Academy and graduated with the class of 1994.
Although his work history has been mostly in law enforcement, Chickie began at Mountaineer Racetrack as a busser while still in high school. He worked there as a waiter and bartender through college until he entered the police academy.
New Cumberland’s Chief Skinner began his police career as an officer in his beloved hometown. His scope of service, however, extends beyond his duties. The “Friends for Family” volunteer group developed at Rebecca’s Restaurant in the late 1990’s. The group raised funds and delivered food baskets at Christmas time, planted the “community outreach” seed in Chickie. He has been involved in a multitude of charities and community events ever since.
Chickie has been involved with the New Cumberland Food Closet since 2008. He has been a social member of the New Cumberland VFW Post 3526 for twenty-nine years and President of the auxiliary for six. Fundraising for the Auxiliary is an activity from which he never walks way. He can be seen cooking at the breakfasts, raffling of hams, 50/50, cooking hot dogs and hamburgers……. anything to make money for the Children’s Christmas Party. This year 95 gifts were bought, wrapped and given and twenty-four food baskets made up and delivered. Chickie is the catalyst of this event.
He can be seen hanging from a ladder, putting up or taking down Veterans’ banners or Christmas lights. He has organized a “Memorial Day Parade and Celebration” including a band and picnic. As Police Chief he is present at each, and every New Cumberland Council meeting or session and his opinions are asked for and respected.
Chickie grew up with a brother, Scott Skinner, who was allowed to go to the hospital and have stitches when Chickie just got methylated (We don’t believe him, Betty May). He also has a niece Makenna and a nephew, Mason.
The light of his life is his daughter, newlywed Erin Skinner Choff. He has delighted in helping to raise her and proudly admires the capable young woman she has become. New Cumberland Police Chief Skinner welcomes her husband, James Choff, into their family.
The citizens of New Cumberland thank Chickie Skinner for his service and love for his hometown.