Rudolph Joseph “Rudy” Skala Jr.

How they died

Suicide

At about 1:22 p.m., deputies responded to a report that Rudolph Joseph "Rudy" Skala Jr. was brandishing a gun at a home he'd formerly owned. State officials had taken possession of the house, which Skala had inherited from his mother, after he failed to pay property taxes for two years. The home was sold at a state auction in July 2007. Skala reportedly set the house on fire before deputies arrived. Police said they found Skala in the woods nearby holding a .45-caliber handgun to his head. According to police, Skala was also carrying a SKS-style rifle with a 30-round clip, and had a copy of the Quran stuffed in his shirt. Deputies said they negotiated with Skala for about 20 minutes. While they were talking, police said, Skala admitted to setting the house on fire. He then reportedly shot himself in the head.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Rudolph Joseph “Rudy” Skala Jr., and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources