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Policeman Robert J. Thurman | Glasgow Police Department, Kentucky
Glasgow Police Department, Kentucky

Policeman

Robert J. Thurman

Glasgow Police Department, Kentucky

End of Watch: Friday, September 18, 1914

Biographical Info

Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 18, 1914
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentence commuted to 21 years

Policeman Robert Thurman was shot and killed after arresting two drunken men in North Glasgow.

He was walking the men along Main Street to the city jail when one of them shot him in the chest. After he fell to the ground the two men kicked him several times before fleeing.

Both killers were arrested a short time later and charged with Policeman Thurman's murder. The shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. His sentence was commuted to 21 years on January 24, 1919, by Governor Augustus O. Stanley.

Policeman Thurman had served with the Glasgow Police Department for just over one year and had previously served as marshal of Burkesville and Edmonton. He was a widower and was survived by two teenage daughters. He was killed two days before being re-married.