Spencer Thornton, Jr.

Chicago Park District Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch September 3, 1945

Age 37

Badge 327

The Vigil Panel 81 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 12

Incident

Park Police Officer Spencer Thornton was shot and killed while intervening in a quarrel at the 31st Street Beach. One of the men involved in the disturbance opened fire, killing Officer Thornton and the other participant in the quarrel. Two other police officers who had been assigned to the Democratic picnic shot the suspect in the shoulder. Officer Thornton died of his wounds at Michael Reese Hospital. The subject who shot him was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two life terms to be served consecutively. He died in prison in 1970.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-FDE495DF
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Police Officer Thornton served with the Chicago Park District Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Thornton.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Chicago Park District Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity cpdpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 3, 1945

Age 37

Badge Number 327

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Park Police Officer Spencer Thornton, Jr. is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.

In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At Chicago Park District Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.

Chicago Park District Police Department

of 13 officers

61.5% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,558

of 32,585 officers

53.9% Felonious