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Incident
Deputy Marshal Thomas O'Connor was shot and killed near the intersection of SW First Avenue and SW Morrison Street as he and another deputy marshal attempted to arrest a man for shooting a gun in the city. When the officers approached the man he fled. Deputy Marshal O'Connor caught the man after a short foot chase and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the man pointed a gun at Deputy Marshal O'Connor's chest. As Deputy Marshal O'Connor pushed the gun down the suspect fired, with the round striking him in the leg. The other deputy marshal shot the suspect, fatally wounding him. Deputy Marshal O'Connor was taken for medical treatment, but infection set in and he died of the wound to his leg nine days later. Deputy Marshal O'Connor had served with the Portland Police Bureau for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
159 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy City Marshal O'Connor served with the Portland Police Bureau.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Portland Police Bureau has lost 31 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1867, 1 officer at Portland Police Bureau was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1867, 2 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1867, 24 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 159th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1867, 29 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 159th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 43. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Portland Police Bureau whose age is recorded, half were between 40.3 and 61.3; the middle age was 43. Thomas had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 43. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. Thomas had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Thomas was 43. 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. Thomas had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at Portland Police Bureau; January holds the most, 16.7%. Fridays: 16.7%.
August holds 8.7% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 19.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 38.7% of all 31 deaths at Portland Police Bureau, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 41.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Portland Police Bureau has 31 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Thomas G. O'Connor
Aug 30, 1867
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Charles F. Schoppe
Jun 13, 1874
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Samuel Smyth Young
Sep 23, 1908
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Albert W. Moe
Jan 9, 1914
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James R. White
Nov 17, 1914
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Ralph H. Stahl
Jan 27, 1915
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James C. Gill
Nov 30, 1915
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John J. McCarthy
Jul 21, 1916
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Andrew James Laugeson
May 12, 1917
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Glenn Logan Litzenberg
Apr 19, 1918
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Peter Walter Jost Oct 22, 1918
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Jerome Palmer
Nov 17, 1920
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James David Wright
Jan 21, 1923
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Robert E. Drake
Oct 11, 1930
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Charles M. White
Jun 30, 1934
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Phillip R. Johnson
May 19, 1941
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Charles E. Vincent
Mar 22, 1942
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James A. Hines
Nov 4, 1945
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Gilbert Haven Horton
Dec 23, 1946
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Roy Edward Mizner
Feb 18, 1956
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Vernon Jacob Stroeder
Feb 18, 1956
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Roger L. Davies
Apr 18, 1961
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Robert Paul Murray
May 2, 1962
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Robert R. Ferron, Jr.
May 23, 1964
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Stephen Michael Owens
Sep 23, 1973
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Dennis Allen Darden
Aug 9, 1974
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David Wayne Crowther
Dec 27, 1979
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Stanley Dale Pounds
Jul 18, 1984
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Thomas Layton Jeffries
Jul 21, 1997
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Colleen Ann Waibel
Jan 27, 1998
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Kirk Robert Huffstetler
May 26, 2002
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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