Tuscaloosa Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Sunday, August 30, 1914
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 30, 1914
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 3 years
Officer Wil Thrower was shot and killed while speaking with a person outside of The Green Fly dance hall at 1926 Dinah Washington Avenue. A suspect approached the two, started arguing with Officer Thrower, and then shot him four times.
Officer Thrower had been involved in the investigation of several cases charging the suspect who shot him with violations of the prohibition law.
The suspect, who turned later turned himself in, was the same suspect charged with murdering Officer J.A. Mansfield on November 20th, 1912. He was acquitted of Officer Mansfield's murder.
After five trials he was convicted of manslaughter in Officer Thrower's death and sentenced to three years in prison.
Officer Thrower's brother, Deputy Sheriff John Thrower, was shot and killed in the line of duty on August 17th, 1920, while serving with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.