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Incident
Sergeant Tom Dodsworth was shot and killed and the police chief was seriously wounded while attempting to arrest two bootlegging suspects at a notorious resort on Market Street near the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway tracks. which resulted in one suspect being killed and the other being wounded. Sergeant Dodsworth and the chief went to a bootlegger's home to arrest him. The chief entered the home and moments later Sergeant Dodsworth, who was standing guard outside, heard two gunshots. He entered to find the police chief in a desperate struggle with the suspect. He managed to pull the suspect off of the chief, but the man shot Sergeant Dodsworth three times. The police chief managed to retrieve his revolver, which he had lost during the struggle, and fatally shot the man. He then shot and wounded a second bootlegger who ran in and tried to attack him. Sergeant Dodsworth died at the scene. The two shots he heard were fired by the deceased suspect and had badly mangled the chief's shoulder. Sergeant Dodsworth was credited with saving his chief's life. The second suspect was convicted of complicity in the murder and sentenced to eight years in prison. Sergeant Dodsworth had served with the Champaign Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Dodsworth gave the Champaign Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Champaign community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Dodsworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Champaign Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 7 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 51. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Champaign Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Champaign Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Champaign Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
