Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective James O'Brien was shot and killed by a man who had shot seven people, killing three of them, during a shooting spree at an unemployment office. Officer O'Brien was shot with a hunting rifle as he pursued the man near Olivas Park Drive and Victoria Avenue, in Ventura. Officer O'Brien had served with the Oxnard Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, mother, brother, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-D7079FFB- 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.
Detective O'Brien gave the Oxnard Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oxnard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James Edward 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Oxnard Police Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Edward O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward O'Brien Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward O'Brien is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward O'Brien was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oxnard Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
