Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 2, 1973
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 24 years
Badge Number: 47
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 2, 1973
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
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. He was survived by his wife and two children.