Thomas W. Sorrell

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 Vermont's 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 byDewey H. Perry
Succeeded byChristian Hansen Jr.
Personal details
Born(1917-11-22)November 22, 1917
Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
DiedMarch 18, 1984(1984-03-18) (aged 66)
Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeResurrection Park Cemetery, South Burlington, Vermont
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEsther Elizabeth Hartigan (m. 1942-1984, his death)
Children5 (including William Sorrell)
OccupationLaw enforcement officer
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1942-1945
Rank Technical Sergeant
UnitUnited States Army Air Forces
Battles/warsWorld War II

Biography

Thomas William Sorrell was born in Burlington, Vermont on November 22, 1917, a son of William and Irene (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]

References
  1. "Death Notice, Thomas W. Sorrell". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 19, 1984. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Miss Hartigan Is Bride of Thomas Sorrell". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. June 20, 1942. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "1940 United States Federal Census, Entry for Thomas W. Sorrell". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1940. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  4. "Burlington Personal Diary: Thomas W. Sorrell". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. November 7, 1942. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Hunt, Ginger (July 27, 1943). "Did You Know: Thomas Sorrell". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, VT. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Funeral of Mrs. Proux". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 26, 1945. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Former U.S. Marshall Sorrell Dies". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 19, 1984. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Sorrell Gets Nod for U.S. Marshal". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. July 18, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Clarke, Rod (United Press International) (1990). "Senator Esther Hartigan Sorrell". Digital Vermont. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Historical Society. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  10. Blaisdell, Eric (January 2, 2021). "Sorrell picked to lead law enforcement council". Eagle Times. Claremont, NH.
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