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Patrolman

Daniel T. O'Connell

New Haven Police Department — New Haven, CT
Felonious
United States flag Connecticut flag
End of Watch August 15, 1938
Age 42
The Vigil Panel 163 · Column 1 · Line 2 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 22

Incident

Patrolman Daniel O'Connell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while struggling with a prisoner in the back of a patrol wagon on Saltonstall Avenue. The suspect had been arrested earlier in the evening for assaulting a family member. A patrol wagon had been called to transport the man from the Chapel Street Station to the downtown station. Prior to leaving for downtown, the wagon driver picked up Patrolman O'Connell to assist him with the transport. As Patrolman O'Connell rode in the back of the wagon, the suspect attacked him. The man was able to gain control of Patrolman O'Connell's service revolver and fatally shot him. The man was then taken into custody by another officer and an off-duty fireman. On January 27th, 1939, the suspect, 36, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Survivors

Patrolman O'Connell was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Connell served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Connell.

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

Agency

Department New Haven Police Department
Type Other
Location New Haven, South Central Connecticut Planning Region, CT
Platform Identity newhpd.southcentral.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 15, 1938
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Daniel 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Daniel was 42. 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.

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

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New Haven Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Daniel T. O'Connell

New Haven Police Department · End of Watch August 15, 1938

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E

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