Trooper James Donald Thornton
Kansas Highway Patrol
Kansas
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 2, 1973

Biographical Info
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 24 years
Badge Number: 47

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, October 2, 1973
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Trooper 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 agency for 24 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.