Thomas J Norton was a patrolman with the 10th precint, NYC police. He was shot and killed in the line of duty by a rogue cop 140 years ago on Delancy St, New York City.
Thomas J Norton was the son of Irish immigrants who settled in Stevensville, Sullivan County, NY. He was well liked and popular with his friends. In December 1879 he joined the New York police force. His murder took a huge toll on the Norton family and created a huge void in their lives. The love they had for their dear Tom has transcended through generations. A large portrait of him has been passed down those generations along with his story so that we will never forget this man who gave his all.
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Republican Watchman Monticello, N.Y. December 23, 1881
(Sullivan County Historical Society Hurleyville, N.Y.)
TRANSCRIPTION:
Thomas J. Norton Murdered
Thomas J. Norton, from Liberty, recently appointed a policeman in New York, was shot while on duty last Sunday evening and died the same night. The New York dailies have a long account of the outrage from which we gather the following: Sunday night while on duty policeman Norton heard a disturbance in a tenement house in the rear of a long narrow and dark alley well known as the resort of the vilest and most desperate characters. Without waiting for aid he [?] to the scene and found two or three men and equal number of woman in an altercation. On interposing to stop the disturbance, one of the men claimed to be a policeman. Officer Norton demanded to see his shield but the man had none. While accompanying the gang from the alley he was assaulted by them and while successfully defending himself one of his assailants named Bernard Fitzpatrick shot him in the neck with a pistol. Though mortally wounded he continued to defend himself until he was insensible. When he recovered sufficiently he dragged himself to the station house and reported the affair. The man who shot him proved to be really a policeman, who under pretense of being sick was shirking duty and enjoying a drunken carouse. He is the son of Alderman-elect Edward Fitzpatrick and is reported t have given his family a great deal of trouble by his wicked conduct. Poor Norton is well known in Liberty and vicinity where his parents reside. He was a brave young man of excellent character and died in faithful discharge of his duty. His remains were taken to Liberty for burial.
---------------------------
Thomas J. Norton
With slow, sad, funeral dirges
We reverently tread,
To place our fallen brother
In the realm of the dead.
His stalwart form and genial face
No more our ranks will grace.
A link detached - a shield unmanned,
How shall we fill his place?
No danger shunned - he bravely stood,
Tempestuous city life:
From pleasant fields of fragrant flowers
He sought a city's strife.
His strong right arm - his weapon sole,
He moved mid ruffian's brawl,
Obedient at duty's brawl,
He heard his Maker's call.
Then comrades, drop a manly tear
O'er Tom our manly chum,
And give the kin a manly hand,
In token of their son.
C. H. Lee
New York city, Dec 21, 1881
(Found at Sullivan County Historical Society,
Hurleyville, NY)
Visit the Thomas J. Norton Memorial Page
Thomas J Norton was the son of Irish immigrants who settled in Stevensville, Sullivan County, NY. He was well liked and popular with his friends. In December 1879 he joined the New York police force. His murder took a huge toll on the Norton family and created a huge void in their lives. The love they had for their dear Tom has transcended through generations. A large portrait of him has been passed down those generations along with his story so that we will never forget this man who gave his all.
----------------------------------------------------
Republican Watchman Monticello, N.Y. December 23, 1881
(Sullivan County Historical Society Hurleyville, N.Y.)
TRANSCRIPTION:
Thomas J. Norton Murdered
Thomas J. Norton, from Liberty, recently appointed a policeman in New York, was shot while on duty last Sunday evening and died the same night. The New York dailies have a long account of the outrage from which we gather the following: Sunday night while on duty policeman Norton heard a disturbance in a tenement house in the rear of a long narrow and dark alley well known as the resort of the vilest and most desperate characters. Without waiting for aid he [?] to the scene and found two or three men and equal number of woman in an altercation. On interposing to stop the disturbance, one of the men claimed to be a policeman. Officer Norton demanded to see his shield but the man had none. While accompanying the gang from the alley he was assaulted by them and while successfully defending himself one of his assailants named Bernard Fitzpatrick shot him in the neck with a pistol. Though mortally wounded he continued to defend himself until he was insensible. When he recovered sufficiently he dragged himself to the station house and reported the affair. The man who shot him proved to be really a policeman, who under pretense of being sick was shirking duty and enjoying a drunken carouse. He is the son of Alderman-elect Edward Fitzpatrick and is reported t have given his family a great deal of trouble by his wicked conduct. Poor Norton is well known in Liberty and vicinity where his parents reside. He was a brave young man of excellent character and died in faithful discharge of his duty. His remains were taken to Liberty for burial.
---------------------------
Thomas J. Norton
With slow, sad, funeral dirges
We reverently tread,
To place our fallen brother
In the realm of the dead.
His stalwart form and genial face
No more our ranks will grace.
A link detached - a shield unmanned,
How shall we fill his place?
No danger shunned - he bravely stood,
Tempestuous city life:
From pleasant fields of fragrant flowers
He sought a city's strife.
His strong right arm - his weapon sole,
He moved mid ruffian's brawl,
Obedient at duty's brawl,
He heard his Maker's call.
Then comrades, drop a manly tear
O'er Tom our manly chum,
And give the kin a manly hand,
In token of their son.
C. H. Lee
New York city, Dec 21, 1881
(Found at Sullivan County Historical Society,
Hurleyville, NY)
Visit the Thomas J. Norton Memorial Page
Thomas J Norton was a patrolman with the 10th precint, NYC police. He was shot and killed in the line of duty by a rogue cop 140 years ago on Delancy St, New York City.
Thomas J Norton was the son of Irish immigrants who settled in Stevensville, Sullivan County, NY. He was well liked and popular with his friends. In December 1879 he joined the New York police force. His murder took a huge toll on the Norton family and created a huge void in their lives. The love they had for their dear Tom has transcended through generations. A large portrait of him has been passed down those generations along with his story so that we will never forget this man who gave his all.
----------------------------------------------------
Republican Watchman Monticello, N.Y. December 23, 1881
(Sullivan County Historical Society Hurleyville, N.Y.)
TRANSCRIPTION:
Thomas J. Norton Murdered
Thomas J. Norton, from Liberty, recently appointed a policeman in New York, was shot while on duty last Sunday evening and died the same night. The New York dailies have a long account of the outrage from which we gather the following: Sunday night while on duty policeman Norton heard a disturbance in a tenement house in the rear of a long narrow and dark alley well known as the resort of the vilest and most desperate characters. Without waiting for aid he [?] to the scene and found two or three men and equal number of woman in an altercation. On interposing to stop the disturbance, one of the men claimed to be a policeman. Officer Norton demanded to see his shield but the man had none. While accompanying the gang from the alley he was assaulted by them and while successfully defending himself one of his assailants named Bernard Fitzpatrick shot him in the neck with a pistol. Though mortally wounded he continued to defend himself until he was insensible. When he recovered sufficiently he dragged himself to the station house and reported the affair. The man who shot him proved to be really a policeman, who under pretense of being sick was shirking duty and enjoying a drunken carouse. He is the son of Alderman-elect Edward Fitzpatrick and is reported t have given his family a great deal of trouble by his wicked conduct. Poor Norton is well known in Liberty and vicinity where his parents reside. He was a brave young man of excellent character and died in faithful discharge of his duty. His remains were taken to Liberty for burial.
---------------------------
Thomas J. Norton
With slow, sad, funeral dirges
We reverently tread,
To place our fallen brother
In the realm of the dead.
His stalwart form and genial face
No more our ranks will grace.
A link detached - a shield unmanned,
How shall we fill his place?
No danger shunned - he bravely stood,
Tempestuous city life:
From pleasant fields of fragrant flowers
He sought a city's strife.
His strong right arm - his weapon sole,
He moved mid ruffian's brawl,
Obedient at duty's brawl,
He heard his Maker's call.
Then comrades, drop a manly tear
O'er Tom our manly chum,
And give the kin a manly hand,
In token of their son.
C. H. Lee
New York city, Dec 21, 1881
(Found at Sullivan County Historical Society,
Hurleyville, NY)
Visit the Thomas J. Norton Memorial Page
Thomas J Norton was the son of Irish immigrants who settled in Stevensville, Sullivan County, NY. He was well liked and popular with his friends. In December 1879 he joined the New York police force. His murder took a huge toll on the Norton family and created a huge void in their lives. The love they had for their dear Tom has transcended through generations. A large portrait of him has been passed down those generations along with his story so that we will never forget this man who gave his all.
----------------------------------------------------
Republican Watchman Monticello, N.Y. December 23, 1881
(Sullivan County Historical Society Hurleyville, N.Y.)
TRANSCRIPTION:
Thomas J. Norton Murdered
Thomas J. Norton, from Liberty, recently appointed a policeman in New York, was shot while on duty last Sunday evening and died the same night. The New York dailies have a long account of the outrage from which we gather the following: Sunday night while on duty policeman Norton heard a disturbance in a tenement house in the rear of a long narrow and dark alley well known as the resort of the vilest and most desperate characters. Without waiting for aid he [?] to the scene and found two or three men and equal number of woman in an altercation. On interposing to stop the disturbance, one of the men claimed to be a policeman. Officer Norton demanded to see his shield but the man had none. While accompanying the gang from the alley he was assaulted by them and while successfully defending himself one of his assailants named Bernard Fitzpatrick shot him in the neck with a pistol. Though mortally wounded he continued to defend himself until he was insensible. When he recovered sufficiently he dragged himself to the station house and reported the affair. The man who shot him proved to be really a policeman, who under pretense of being sick was shirking duty and enjoying a drunken carouse. He is the son of Alderman-elect Edward Fitzpatrick and is reported t have given his family a great deal of trouble by his wicked conduct. Poor Norton is well known in Liberty and vicinity where his parents reside. He was a brave young man of excellent character and died in faithful discharge of his duty. His remains were taken to Liberty for burial.
---------------------------
Thomas J. Norton
With slow, sad, funeral dirges
We reverently tread,
To place our fallen brother
In the realm of the dead.
His stalwart form and genial face
No more our ranks will grace.
A link detached - a shield unmanned,
How shall we fill his place?
No danger shunned - he bravely stood,
Tempestuous city life:
From pleasant fields of fragrant flowers
He sought a city's strife.
His strong right arm - his weapon sole,
He moved mid ruffian's brawl,
Obedient at duty's brawl,
He heard his Maker's call.
Then comrades, drop a manly tear
O'er Tom our manly chum,
And give the kin a manly hand,
In token of their son.
C. H. Lee
New York city, Dec 21, 1881
(Found at Sullivan County Historical Society,
Hurleyville, NY)
Visit the Thomas J. Norton Memorial Page
