Chicago Park District Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, September 3, 1945
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 327
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 3, 1945
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Park Police Officer Spencer Thornton was shot and killed while intervening in a quarrel at the 31st Street Beach.
One of the men involved in the disturbance opened fire, killing Officer Thornton and the other participant in the quarrel. Two other police officers who had been assigned to the Democratic picnic shot the suspect in the shoulder.
Officer Thornton died of his wounds at Michael Reese Hospital.
The subject who shot him was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two life terms to be served consecutively. He died in prison in 1970.