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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.
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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Perrysburg City Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Francis is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Francis 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 1905, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 52. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38.
Francis was 52. 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.
Francis was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Sundays: 12.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Perrysburg City Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Perrysburg City Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Francis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Perrysburg City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
