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Incident
Trooper Conroy O'Brien was shot and killed during a traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike near Matfield Green. During a struggle with the three suspects, they obtained his service weapon. One of the subjects then walked him to a nearby ditch and pistol-whipped him, fracturing his skull. The man then shot him twice in the head before spitting on him. The subjects were later apprehended after a shootout with other officers. The suspects were all wanted for a string of armed robberies at the time of the shooting. One suspect turned state's evidence and served seven years, and another died in prison in 2009. The third man was sentenced to serve two consecutive life terms plus nine years. He was granted parole in 2025, but the decision was revoked after it was criticized. Trooper O'Brien had served with the Kansas Highway Patrol for four years. He was survived by his expectant wife. His daughter was born a few months later.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper O'Brien gave the Kansas Highway Patrol 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas Highway Patrol has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Conroy is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Conroy is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Conroy is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 1 officer at Kansas Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Conroy was 26. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Kansas Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 48; the middle age was 47. Conroy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Conroy was 26. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Conroy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Conroy was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Conroy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Conroy was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Conroy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Kansas Highway Patrol; January holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 40%.
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Kansas Highway Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas Highway Patrol has 11 officers remembered here, Conroy among them.
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Maurice R. Plummer
Dec 16, 1944
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Jimmie Dewayne Jacobs
Oct 6, 1959
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John B. McMurray
Dec 9, 1964
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Bernard C. Hill
May 28, 1967
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Eldon K. Miller
Jan 19, 1968
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James Donald Thornton
Oct 2, 1973
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Conroy G. O'Brien
May 24, 1978
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Ferdinand Frederick Pribbenow
Jul 11, 1981
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Larry Lee Huff
Nov 26, 1993
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Dean Allen Goodheart
Sep 6, 1995
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Kent Eugene Newport
Oct 27, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Kansas Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
