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
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