Champaign Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Sunday, July 6, 1913
Add to My HeroesThomas Dodsworth
Sergeant Tom Dodsworth was shot and killed and the police chief was seriously wounded while attempting to arrest two bootlegging suspects at a notorious resort on Market Street near the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway tracks.
which resulted in one suspect being killed and the other being wounded.
Sergeant Dodsworth and the chief went to a bootlegger's home to arrest him. The chief entered the home and moments later Sergeant Dodsworth, who was standing guard outside, heard two gunshots. He entered to find the police chief in a desperate struggle with the suspect. He managed to pull the suspect off of the chief, but the man shot Sergeant Dodsworth three times. The police chief managed to retrieve his revolver, which he had lost during the struggle, and fatally shot the man. He then shot and wounded a second bootlegger who ran in and tried to attack him.
Sergeant Dodsworth died at the scene. The two shots he heard were fired by the deceased suspect and had badly mangled the chief's shoulder.
Sergeant Dodsworth was credited with saving his chief's life. The second suspect was convicted of complicity in the murder and sentenced to eight years in prison.
Sergeant Dodsworth had served with the Champaign Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour 8 years
- Badge 707
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender One killed, one wounded
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsEven though it has been 108 years, the retiree's of the Champaign Police department have ordered a commemorative coin that will remember your service and sacrifice . We never forget
Mark C Medlyn
Champaign Police retired
September 9, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Corrections Deputy Marcus Zeigler
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2023

Police Officer Horren Randy Tyler
Madison Police Department, MS
EOW: June 1, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: May 6, 2023

Detective Jacob Beu
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: May 7, 2023