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Frederick Alston Thornton
Incident
Officer Fred Thornton was killed when a flash-bang device detonated as he handled SWAT equipment.
He had just returned home following a SWAT call out to serve a warrant and was attempting to render his equipment safe when the Def-Tec 25 flash-bang discharged, causing massive injuries. Investigation determined that while at the scene of the SWAT deployment Officer Thornton removed the device's safety pin in preparation for using it. It is believed that he was attempting to reinsert the pin when the device detonated.
He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Thornton had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 28 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Thornton gave the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Thornton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has lost 9 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Frederick is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frederick is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 5 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 2011, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2011, 72 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frederick was 50. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35. Frederick had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 5.4 years.
Frederick was 50. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Frederick had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frederick was 50. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frederick had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.9% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Fridays: 13.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Frederick among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 8-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
