On October 16, 1937, Officer James Thornton was on his first day of duty with the St. Petersburg Police Department. He and Officer William Newberry ordered an intoxicated man to leave a carnival taking place at Campbell Park.
The man returned a short time later with a gun and shot both officers. Officer Thornton died that evening, and his partner the following day. The still-armed shooter was subsequently shot by another officer after he was found hiding in a local apartment.
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