Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Thornton succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained one week earlier as he and the deputy marshal questioned five suspicious men in the town's train station. The suspects began to walk away when the two men approached them. When Marshal Thornton called out to them, one of the men suddenly turned and opened fire, striking Marshal Thornton in the abdomen and the deputy marshal in the foot. Three of the five suspects were apprehended immediately but escaped from the Wood County Jail while awaiting trial. Two were recaptured quickly, convicted of complicity in murder, and given a year each. One died in prison. The suspect who fired the fatal shot wasn't apprehended until 1915, when he turned himself in. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to an indeterminate term in prison.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-4887351D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Francis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Thornton served with the Perrysburg City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Perrysburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Thornton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Francis M. 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Perrysburg City Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis M. Thornton's cause is highlighted.
How Francis M. Thornton Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis M. Thornton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis M. Thornton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Perrysburg City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
