Daniel T. O'Connell

New Haven Police Department — New Haven, CT

Felonious

End of Watch August 15, 1938

Age 42

The Vigil Panel 75 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice 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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CT-4A512DB5
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.
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, 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

Patrolman Daniel T. O'Connell 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 43.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New Haven Police Department, 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.

New Haven Police Department

of 23 officers

43.5% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious