Patrolman Raymond W. Thorne, Jennings Police Department, Missouri

Patrolman Raymond W. Thorne

Jennings Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Saturday, March 25, 1950

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Raymond W. Thorne

Patrolman Raymond Thorne was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance.

Officer Raymond W. Thorne was sent to investigate a complaint that an intoxicated, armed man was creating a disturbance in a home on Lena Avenue in the city of Jennings.

Officer Thorne was identified by the suspects' son as having an altercation with the suspect; the suspects' son retrieved a .22 caliber pistol and fired at Officer Thorne who attempted to flee. The suspect chased Officer Thorne from the residence and on the lawn Officer Thorne fired two shots and struck his pursuer, before collapsing. Officer Thorne was struck five times in the back. Both the suspect and Officer Thorne were pronounced dead on arrival at St. Louis County Hospital.

The suspects' son was arrested and charged with second degree murder. He was later acquitted of the charges.

Patrolman Thorne was survived by his wife and grown son and daughter.

Bio

Age 52
Tour Not available
Badge 4

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Not available

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Most Recent Reflection

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Well, it's been over 60 years since Ray Thorn was killed so I guess it's okay to say what I have to say. It was sad that Officer Thorn had to lose his life in the performance of duty but there are always two sides to every story. His killer's family were my relatives. The killer was just a kid who thought he was protecting his dad. His dad was asleep in bed when Ray Thorn busted into the house, went to the bedroom and began beating his dad with a police baton. When Ray Thorn ran out of the house after seeing the kid had a gun, the kids dad ran after him, Ray shot the dad and then the kid shot Ray. It was a terrible incident and the kid had never been in any trouble before it and led an exemplary life afterwards. Jennings Police Dept. was noted for police brutality, even when I was a police officer there in the 60s.

Anonymous

November 6, 2013