Maurice D. O'Brien
Agency patch
Patrolman

Maurice D. O'Brien

Felonious
End of Watch January 30, 1930
Age 27
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 14595
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Maurice O'Brien was shot and killed after breaking up a Craps game in the street. Patrolman O'Brien was walking his beat when he came across a group of gangsters playing Craps in the street. One of the suspects fled, with Patrolman O'Brien in pursuit. In front of 57 W 113th Street, the suspect stopped and turned with a pistol in hand. Patrolman O'Brien attempted to draw his revolver but was slowed by a heart raincoat he was wearing. The suspect fired three times, striking Patrolman O'Brien in the head, chest, and right arm, killing him. The suspect commandeered a passing taxi and fled the scene. Two suspects, 30 and 43, were arrested on June 9, 1931, and charged in relation to the murder of Patrolman O'Brien. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was assigned to the 28th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents and three brothers and predeceased by his older brother.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman O'Brien gave the New York City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Brien.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 30, 1930
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 14595
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Maurice is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Maurice was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Maurice had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Maurice among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Maurice D. O'Brien

New York City Police Department · End of Watch January 30, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E

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