Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Daniel O'Brien was shot and killed when he interrupted somebody attempting to steal chickens from the chicken coup in his backyard on Susquehanna Road.
He was awoken at approximately 1:00 am by noises in the backyard of his home, across the street from Hillside Cemetery. As he and his father went to investigate they exchanged shots with at least one subject inside the chicken coup. Constable O'Brien was fatally struck in the chest by a blast from a shotgun and his father was wounded.
The subjects fled the scene. Two men were arrested several days later but charges were later dismissed when prosecutors determined they could not secure a conviction. One of the subjects was then convicted of multiple counts of larceny for similar thefts of chickens. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
At the time of his murder, investigators believed that Constable O'Brien was targeted and ambushed due to enforcement efforts he took against local thieves.
Constable O'Brien had served as a constable for Abington Township for two years.
He was awoken at approximately 1:00 am by noises in the backyard of his home, across the street from Hillside Cemetery. As he and his father went to investigate they exchanged shots with at least one subject inside the chicken coup. Constable O'Brien was fatally struck in the chest by a blast from a shotgun and his father was wounded.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-016E0193- Stewardship
- 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.
Constable O'Brien served with the Abington Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Abington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Daniel O'Brien is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Abington Township Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Daniel O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel O'Brien Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel O'Brien is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel O'Brien was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Abington Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
