Officer Fred Thornton was killed when a flash-bang device detonated as he handled SWAT equipment.
He had just returned home following a SWAT call out to serve a warrant and was attempting to render his equipment safe when the flash-bang discharged, causing massive injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Thornton had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 28 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Obituary
Ofc. Frederick Alston Thornton (CMPD), 50, of Mint Hill, NC passed away suddenly Friday, February 25, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center. The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte, 301 S. Davidson St. A service to celebrate Fred's life and his devotion to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte with The Reverend Dr. Mark Harris and Reverend Elizabeth Horton officiating. A committal service with honors will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC. Fred was born March 15, 1960 in Winston–Salem, NC, a son of the late William and Nora Thornton. He was a 1978 graduate of Parkwood High School in Winston–Salem and a 1982 graduate of UNC – Charlotte, where he received his B.S. of Criminal Justice. Following graduation he entered the CMPD Academy. He joined the CMPD SWAT Team in 1987. Fred was a loving husband, father and friend and was truly devoted not only to his natural family but also to his "family" of SWAT Team members and his fellow officers. During his career in law enforcement, Fred received many awards and recognition for his accomplishments. He was awarded the NC State Governor's Award for Bravery and Heroism and from the City of Charlotte, the Medal of Valor, in May of 1998. He was deployed with Med-1 mobile hospital and served with relief efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina from September 2 to October 14, 2005. He later served in New Orleans for continued relief from February 20 to March 3, 2006. For his service to the citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Fred was awarded the Chiefs Award for Community Service in May of 2006. He also served the community of Columbus, Indiana from June 21 to August 1, 2008.
Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Montaldo Thornton; children, JoBeth Edwards and her husband, Josh and their daughter, Hallie, Glenna Thornton, Patrick Thornton and Phillip Thornton; and by his brother, Tom Thornton of Winston–Salem.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hospice and Palliative Care – Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC or Hospice of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, 1100-C S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.
He had just returned home following a SWAT call out to serve a warrant and was attempting to render his equipment safe when the flash-bang discharged, causing massive injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Thornton had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 28 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Obituary
Ofc. Frederick Alston Thornton (CMPD), 50, of Mint Hill, NC passed away suddenly Friday, February 25, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center. The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte, 301 S. Davidson St. A service to celebrate Fred's life and his devotion to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte with The Reverend Dr. Mark Harris and Reverend Elizabeth Horton officiating. A committal service with honors will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC. Fred was born March 15, 1960 in Winston–Salem, NC, a son of the late William and Nora Thornton. He was a 1978 graduate of Parkwood High School in Winston–Salem and a 1982 graduate of UNC – Charlotte, where he received his B.S. of Criminal Justice. Following graduation he entered the CMPD Academy. He joined the CMPD SWAT Team in 1987. Fred was a loving husband, father and friend and was truly devoted not only to his natural family but also to his "family" of SWAT Team members and his fellow officers. During his career in law enforcement, Fred received many awards and recognition for his accomplishments. He was awarded the NC State Governor's Award for Bravery and Heroism and from the City of Charlotte, the Medal of Valor, in May of 1998. He was deployed with Med-1 mobile hospital and served with relief efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina from September 2 to October 14, 2005. He later served in New Orleans for continued relief from February 20 to March 3, 2006. For his service to the citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Fred was awarded the Chiefs Award for Community Service in May of 2006. He also served the community of Columbus, Indiana from June 21 to August 1, 2008.
Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Montaldo Thornton; children, JoBeth Edwards and her husband, Josh and their daughter, Hallie, Glenna Thornton, Patrick Thornton and Phillip Thornton; and by his brother, Tom Thornton of Winston–Salem.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hospice and Palliative Care – Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC or Hospice of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, 1100-C S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.
Officer Fred Thornton was killed when a flash-bang device detonated as he handled SWAT equipment.
He had just returned home following a SWAT call out to serve a warrant and was attempting to render his equipment safe when the flash-bang discharged, causing massive injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Thornton had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 28 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Obituary
Ofc. Frederick Alston Thornton (CMPD), 50, of Mint Hill, NC passed away suddenly Friday, February 25, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center. The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte, 301 S. Davidson St. A service to celebrate Fred's life and his devotion to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte with The Reverend Dr. Mark Harris and Reverend Elizabeth Horton officiating. A committal service with honors will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC. Fred was born March 15, 1960 in Winston–Salem, NC, a son of the late William and Nora Thornton. He was a 1978 graduate of Parkwood High School in Winston–Salem and a 1982 graduate of UNC – Charlotte, where he received his B.S. of Criminal Justice. Following graduation he entered the CMPD Academy. He joined the CMPD SWAT Team in 1987. Fred was a loving husband, father and friend and was truly devoted not only to his natural family but also to his "family" of SWAT Team members and his fellow officers. During his career in law enforcement, Fred received many awards and recognition for his accomplishments. He was awarded the NC State Governor's Award for Bravery and Heroism and from the City of Charlotte, the Medal of Valor, in May of 1998. He was deployed with Med-1 mobile hospital and served with relief efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina from September 2 to October 14, 2005. He later served in New Orleans for continued relief from February 20 to March 3, 2006. For his service to the citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Fred was awarded the Chiefs Award for Community Service in May of 2006. He also served the community of Columbus, Indiana from June 21 to August 1, 2008.
Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Montaldo Thornton; children, JoBeth Edwards and her husband, Josh and their daughter, Hallie, Glenna Thornton, Patrick Thornton and Phillip Thornton; and by his brother, Tom Thornton of Winston–Salem.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hospice and Palliative Care – Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC or Hospice of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, 1100-C S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.
He had just returned home following a SWAT call out to serve a warrant and was attempting to render his equipment safe when the flash-bang discharged, causing massive injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Thornton had served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 28 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Obituary
Ofc. Frederick Alston Thornton (CMPD), 50, of Mint Hill, NC passed away suddenly Friday, February 25, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center. The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte, 301 S. Davidson St. A service to celebrate Fred's life and his devotion to the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Charlotte with The Reverend Dr. Mark Harris and Reverend Elizabeth Horton officiating. A committal service with honors will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC. Fred was born March 15, 1960 in Winston–Salem, NC, a son of the late William and Nora Thornton. He was a 1978 graduate of Parkwood High School in Winston–Salem and a 1982 graduate of UNC – Charlotte, where he received his B.S. of Criminal Justice. Following graduation he entered the CMPD Academy. He joined the CMPD SWAT Team in 1987. Fred was a loving husband, father and friend and was truly devoted not only to his natural family but also to his "family" of SWAT Team members and his fellow officers. During his career in law enforcement, Fred received many awards and recognition for his accomplishments. He was awarded the NC State Governor's Award for Bravery and Heroism and from the City of Charlotte, the Medal of Valor, in May of 1998. He was deployed with Med-1 mobile hospital and served with relief efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina from September 2 to October 14, 2005. He later served in New Orleans for continued relief from February 20 to March 3, 2006. For his service to the citizens of Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Fred was awarded the Chiefs Award for Community Service in May of 2006. He also served the community of Columbus, Indiana from June 21 to August 1, 2008.
Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Montaldo Thornton; children, JoBeth Edwards and her husband, Josh and their daughter, Hallie, Glenna Thornton, Patrick Thornton and Phillip Thornton; and by his brother, Tom Thornton of Winston–Salem.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Hospice and Palliative Care – Charlotte Region, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, NC or Hospice of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, 1100-C S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.
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