Thomas W. Sorrell
U.S. Marshal for Vermont
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas W. Sorrell (November 22, 1917 – March 18, 1984) was a career law enforcement officer from Vermont. He was most notable for his service as U.S. Marshal for Vermont from 1961 to 1969.
Thomas W. Sorrell | |
|---|---|
| United States Marshal for the District of Vermont | |
| In office August 3, 1961 – June 20, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Dewey H. Perry |
| Succeeded by | Christian Hansen Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 22, 1917 Burlington, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | March 18, 1984 (aged 66) Burlington, Vermont, U.S. |
| Resting place | Resurrection Park Cemetery, South Burlington, Vermont |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Esther Elizabeth Hartigan
(m. 1942) |
| Children | 5, including William Sorrell |
| Occupation | Law enforcement officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Rank |  Technical Sergeant |
| Unit | United States Army Air Forces |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Biography
Thomas William Sorrell was born in Burlington, Vermont on November 22, 1917, a son of William and Irene (née Proulx) Sorrell.[1] He attended the parochial schools of Burlington, and was a 1936 graduate of Burlington's Cathedral High School.[1] Before joining the military, Sorrell was employed by The Burlington Free Press as an apprentice printer.[2][3]
Sorrell served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.[4] After enlisting in 1942, his duty stations included Dow Field, Maine, Bradley Field, Connecticut, and Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.[4][5] Sorrell attained the rank of technical sergeant and was discharged at the end of the war in 1945.[6]
After his military service, Sorrell joined the Burlington Police Department, where he served from 1947 to 1953.[7] He was a member of the Burlington Police Commission from 1957 to 1960.[7] From 1953 to 1961, Sorrell was an investigator for the Central Vermont Railway.[7] In addition, he served as a deputy sheriff for Chittenden County from 1953 to 1961.[8]
Following the election of John F. Kennedy, a Democrat to the presidency in 1960, in 1961 Democrat Sorrell succeeded Dewey H. Perry, a Republican, as U.S. Marshal for Vermont.[7] Sorrell served until 1969, and was succeeded by Christian Hansen Jr.[7] Beginning in 1969, Sorrell was a criminal investigator for the Colchester Police Department.[7] In 1977, he was appointed as Burlington's city constable and tax collector.[7]
Sorrell died in Burlington on March 18, 1984.[1] He was buried at Resurrection Park in South Burlington.[1]
Family
In June 1942, Sorrell married Esther Elizabeth Hartigan.[2] Esther Hartigan Sorrell was active in building the Vermont Democratic Party into a viable statewide organization following a century of Republican dominance.[9] She won a seat in the Vermont Senate in 1972 and served from 1973 to 1983.[9]
Thomas and Esther Sorrell were the parents of four daughters and a son – Mary Beth, Karen, Anne, Micaela, and William.[1] William Sorrell served as Vermont Attorney General from 1997 to 2017.[10]