100 Years Later, Champaign Police To Honor Fallen Officer

Police in Champaign are getting ready to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of an officer who died trying to arrest a bootlegger.

The department will hold a memorial service on Saturday afternoon for Thomas Dodsworth, who was killed during a shootout on July 6, 1913.

The police department's then-chief, A.U. "Al'' Keller, was also injured.

After the memorial service at the department's headquarters, police plan to have a processional of retired officers. 

Part of that profession will include Dodsworth's home at the time he was killed on West Columbia Street.

Champaign Police will also put a wreath on Dodsworth's grave in Woodlawn Cemetery at 1803 North Coler in Urbana.