Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 23, 1967
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 38
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 23, 1967
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Deputy Sheriff Harold Thornton was shot and killed by a former mental patient after responding to a stabbing call at 604 Olivero Street in Modesto.
The suspect opened fire on Deputy Thornton with a .38 caliber revolver, striking him several times. Although mortally wounded, Deputy Thornton returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was then taken into custody. Deputy Thornton was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect was sentenced to death but the sentence was changed in 1972 to life without parole when the death penalty was abolished. The suspect died in prison on September 9th, 1980.
Deputy Thornton had served with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and six children.