Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Otis Thornton succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while escorting a prisoner to jail.
The man had just been arrested and was being walked to the county jail by Marshal Thornton and the jailer. As they passed the man's home he broke free from the officers and ran inside. He emerged from the home with a shotgun and began chasing Marshal Thornton as the unarmed jailer retreated to seek help. The man opened fire, striking Marshal Thornton.
Despite being wounded, Marshal Thornton returned fire but did not strike the subject. The man was arrested and charged with Marshal Thornton's murder. The subject's brother and another man were also charged in connection with the incident. The 25-year-old murderer was convicted of murder and sentenced to two years.
Marshal Thornton was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Marshal Thornton was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C108D991- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Thornton served with the Taylorsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Taylorsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Thornton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Otis Garnett Thornton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Otis Garnett Thornton's cause is highlighted.
How Otis Garnett Thornton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otis Garnett Thornton is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otis Garnett Thornton was killed by shotgun.