Benjamin Thornton: Fly Detective in Indianapolis - Paperback

by Antwan Sr. Floyd (Illustrator), Patrick R. Pearsey (Author)

Born a slave, 12 year old Ben Thornton ran away and reached the Union army lines. In 1876 he became one of the first African-American police officers in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1886 he was chosen as the first of his race to serve as a detective in that city's police force. Detective Ben Thornton became nationally famous for his skill in tracking down criminals. This is a true account of his life and the many cases he worked.

Author Biography

Patrick R. Pearsey is a 38-year civilian employee of the Indianapolis Police Department (renamed the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in 2007). He now serves as the department's archivist. This second edition of his first book contains mug shots of the men and women he arrested, found in the department archives.