Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John O'Brien was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a wanted fugitive. Patrolman O'Brien spotted the suspect as he walked his beat. Patrolman O'Brien pursued the suspect into a liquor store at the corner of 41st Street and 8th Avenue and attempted to arrest him. The suspect drew a pistol and shot Patrolman O'Brien in the head. Although wounded, Patrolman O'Brien pursued the suspect to 40th street, where he collapsed from loss of blood. Patrolman O'Brien was removed to the hospital where he died four days later from his wounds. The suspect was apprehended 14 years later and charged with murder. Patrolman O'Brien was assigned to the 17th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children and is buried in Brooklyn, New York.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NY-73775FE8- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman O'Brien served with the New York Metropolitan Police Force.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John J. 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York Metropolitan Police Force, 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. John J. O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How John J. O'Brien Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. O'Brien is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. O'Brien was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from New York Metropolitan Police Force are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
