Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James O'Brien was shot and killed while attempting to question a man at a bar at 353 Collinsville Avenue. Patrolman O'Brien observed the man inside the bar and asked him to meet out front for further questioning. When the man failed to follow him outside Patrolman O'Brien re-entered the bar and was told the man had fled out of the rear door. As Patrolman O'Brien exited the bar's rear door, he was shot in the head and killed. His reason for wanting to talk to the man is unknown. In 1927 the 28-year-old suspect was arrested in Chicago for the murder of a man in New York a few days earlier. When he was returned to New York he admitted to the murder of Patrolman O'Brien. New York officials told Illinois officials if he was acquitted of the murder in their state they would return him to Illinois. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. His third child was born one week after his murder.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B3A8BA9B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Brien gave the East St. Louis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James O'Brien is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At East St. Louis Police Department, 18 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How James O'Brien Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James O'Brien is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James O'Brien was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
