Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John O'Brien was killed when a vehicle that was driving recklessly and fleeing other officers struck his patrol car, driving 50 mph at Forest and Geranium Avenues. The impact caused Officer O'Brien's vehicle to roll over and strike a house. Officer O'Brien's partner was critically injured. Two teenagers in the other car were killed, and one was severely injured. Officer O'Brien had been with the St. Paul Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-E616366A- 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.
Police Officer O'Brien gave the Saint Paul Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer 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 MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 59 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Saint Paul Police Department, 20 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.6% 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 Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. O'Brien was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Saint Paul Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
