Quin Edward O'Brien

Waukesha County Sheriff's Department — Waukesha, WI

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 22, 1978

Age 50

Tour of Duty 24 yrs

The Vigil Panel 120 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Sergeant O'Brien and Deputy Michael Geszvain were shot and killed when a prisoner gained control of Deputy Geszvain's service weapon. The officers were standing in court with the prisoner when the incident occurred. The suspect exchanged shots with another deputy on the first floor of the courthouse. Sergent O'Brien was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day. The suspect used an attorney as a shield to leave the courtroom. He was apprehended after taking a social worker hostage and forcing her to drive to Madison, Wisconsin. The man was sentenced to two counts of life in prison. He was up for parole in 2000, and it was denied for another 20 years. Sergeant O'Brien was a United States Army and Marine veteran. He had served 24 years with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and seven children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WI-DFD28D4F
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant O'Brien gave the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department 24 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waukesha community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Waukesha County Sheriff's Department

Location Waukesha, WI

Platform Identity wcso.waukesha.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 22, 1978

Tour of Duty 24 yrs

Age 50

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Quin Edward O'Brien served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Sergeant Quin Edward 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Waukesha County Sheriff's Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

WI — Statewide

159

of 317 officers

50.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious