Terry Thomas O'Connell

Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept — Hillsboro, MO

Felonious

End of Watch April 5, 1978

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 119 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Sheriff O'Connell was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 30 and Route Y near Dittmer. At 11:00 a.m., Deputy O'Connell pulled over a driver who was speeding. As he approached the car, the driver suddenly produced a handgun and shot him multiple times before fleeing. The suspect, who had narcotic convictions, was apprehended after a long manhunt and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy O'Connell had served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department for four months and previously served with the Fenton Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Department, and Marlborough Police Department for over nine years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two stepchildren, parents, sister, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MO-C882E6D7
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Terry. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff O'Connell gave the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff O'Connell.

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

Agency

Department Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept

Location Hillsboro, MO

Platform Identity jcso.jefferson.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 5, 1978

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy Sheriff Terry Thomas O'Connell 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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

Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

MO — Statewide

516

of 813 officers

63.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious