Incident
Trooper James Thornton was shot and killed while checking on a hitchhiker on I-70 near Topeka, Kansas. The suspect was wanted in New York for the murder of his father. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers when he refused to surrender. Trooper Thornton had served with the Kansas Highway Patrol for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Trooper Thornton gave the Kansas Highway Patrol 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Thornton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas Highway Patrol has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1973, 1 officer at Kansas Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 52. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Kansas Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 48; the middle age was 47. James had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 52. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. James had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
James 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. James had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Kansas Highway Patrol; January holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Kansas Highway Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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
Kansas Highway Patrol has 11 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Maurice R. Plummer
Dec 16, 1944
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Jimmie Dewayne Jacobs
Oct 6, 1959
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John B. McMurray
Dec 9, 1964
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Bernard C. Hill
May 28, 1967
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Eldon K. Miller
Jan 19, 1968
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James Donald Thornton
Oct 2, 1973
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Conroy G. O'Brien
May 24, 1978
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Ferdinand Frederick Pribbenow
Jul 11, 1981
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Larry Lee Huff
Nov 26, 1993
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Dean Allen Goodheart
Sep 6, 1995
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Kent Eugene Newport
Oct 27, 2014
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Kansas Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.









