Park Police Officer Spencer Thornton, Jr.

Spencer Thornton, Jr.

Park Police Officer Spencer Thornton, Jr. was shot and killed while intervening in a quarrel at the 31st Street Beach. One of the men 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.

Park Police Officer Thornton died of his wounds at Michael Reese Hospital.

The 44-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two life terms to be served consecutively. He died in prison in 1970.

The Chicago Park District Police in the City of Chicago was disbanded in 1957. Remaining officers were transferred to the Chicago Police Department through an intergovernmental agreement. Fallen officers are currently honored on the memorial wall of the Chicago Police Department as Chicago Police Officers.