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Incident
Town Marshal Otis Thornton succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while escorting a prisoner to jail.
The man had just been arrested and was being walked to the county jail by Marshal Thornton and the jailer. As they passed the man's home he broke free from the officers and ran inside. He emerged from the home with a shotgun and began chasing Marshal Thornton as the unarmed jailer retreated to seek help. The man opened fire, striking Marshal Thornton.
Despite being wounded, Marshal Thornton returned fire but did not strike the subject. The man was arrested and charged with Marshal Thornton's murder. The subject's brother and another man were also charged in connection with the incident. The 25-year-old murderer was convicted of murder and sentenced to two years.
Marshal Thornton was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Marshal Thornton was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Town Marshal Thornton served with the Taylorsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Taylorsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Thornton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Otis is the only officer of Taylorsville Police Department remembered here.
Otis is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Otis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 21 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Otis was 59. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Otis was 59. 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.
Otis was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Wednesdays: 11.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Taylorsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
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