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(James W. Thornton)

James Thornton
Officer
Died October 16, 1937

Officer James Thornton was on his first day of duty with the St. Petersburg Police Department when he and Officer William Newberry ordered an intoxicated man to leave a carnival at Campbell Park on October 16, 1937. The man returned a short time later with a gun and shot both officers. Officer Thornton died that evening. His partner died the following day from his wounds. The still armed shooter was subsequently shot by another officer after he was found hiding in a local apartment.

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