Officer James W. Thornton

James W. Thornton

Officer Thornton and Officer William Newberry were shot and killed in Campbell Park by a drunk man whom they had ordered to leave a carnival earlier in the evening. The man returned to the park and shot both officers. Officer Thornton was killed at the scene and Officer Newberry died the following day. The suspect was shot and killed a short time later by another officer.

Officer Thornton was killed on his first day as a police officer.