In the small town of Littleville, Alabama, a routine attempt to uphold the law on August 18, 1963, ended in a violent tragedy that claimed the life of its dedicated Chief of Police, James Cornelius Pace. A 50-year-old White male, Chief Pace was a respected figure in his community, a husband, and a father to four children. His commitment to his duty would ultimately cost him his life in a sudden and brutal ambush.
The events of that fateful day unfolded when Chief Pace, accompanied by Colbert County Sheriff Herman Cook and two deputies, moved to arrest a known bootlegger. Their suspect, Troy Thornton, was operating out of a shack situated about a mile and a half from the town's limits. As the lawmen cautiously made their way through the overgrown weeds surrounding the property, Thornton, who had a history of bootlegging, lay in wait. He opened fire on the approaching officers, his gunshots shattering the quiet of the rural landscape. Chief Pace was struck and died instantly at the scene. Sheriff Cook was also hit and succumbed to his injuries shortly after. One of the deputies, Donald Files, sustained injuries in the attack, while the fourth officer, Deputy Ray Murray, managed to escape unharmed.
The shooting triggered a massive manhunt, with approximately 300 law enforcement officers converging on the area to find Thornton. It was later revealed by his relatives that Thornton had been diagnosed with cancer and held a grim belief that he had little to lose. This desperation likely fueled his violent resistance to arrest. The extensive search for Thornton concluded the following day when he surrendered to the authorities. However, justice in a courtroom would never be fully realized for the fallen officers. While awaiting his trial, Troy Thornton died of cancer in his jail cell on September 3, 1963.
