James Alfred Thornton Jr. was just twenty-four years old on October 16, 1937 — his first day with the St. Petersburg Police Department. He and his senior partner, Officer William G. Newberry, were assigned to the Downie Brothers' Circus at Campbell Park. Early in the evening they ordered an intoxicated man to leave; minutes later he returned with a gun and shot Thornton from behind, killing him instantly, before turning on Newberry. Both officers' return fire drove him from the scene.
Officer Thornton died that evening — the sixth St. Petersburg police officer killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his parents, his wife, Ethel, and three siblings, including a twin brother, John, who was present when the suspect was later brought down. His funeral drew more than one hundred vehicles in the procession to Royal Palm Cemetery.
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