Roll of Honor
Thomas J. O'Sullivan
Incident
Constable Thomas O'Sullivan was shot and killed as he and another constable confronted two burglars at the Pittsburgh, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad station in East Pittsburgh.
Constable John O'Brien was at home when he had been alerted to two suspicious mean in East Pittsburgh at approximately 10:25 pm and called on Constable O'Sullivan to accompany him. They located the man and followed them to the railroad station. As the constables stood in the shadows they observed one the men walk away to serve as a lookout as the other man opened a window to the railroad office.
As he prepared to climb inside the constables confronted him and arrested him. Constable O`Sullivan began walking him to jail as Constable O'Brien started after the lookout.
As Constable O'Sullivan and the man walked through an alley the man suddenly pulled out a revolver and shot him twice, killing him instantly. Hearing the shots, Constable O'Brien ran into the alley and started struggling with the man before he was shot three times, including once in the head.
Both suspects fled the scene. It is not known if they were ever arrested.
Constable O'Brien was taken to the hospital in Braddock Borough. His health continued to deteriorate and it is believed he passed away from his wound in October 1907, but his death has not been verified.
Constable O'Sullivan was the elected constable of the Braddock Borough Third Ward. He also held commissions as a police officer for Braddock Borough and as a detective for the Pittsburgh, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad.
While your assailants may have scraped justice here on earth, they surely faced a higher justice at a later time. Thank you for your service and please know that no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) July 12th, 2020
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable O'Sullivan served with the Pennsylvania State Constable.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable O'Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Thomas J. O'Sullivan 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County, 10 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. O'Sullivan's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. O'Sullivan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. O'Sullivan is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. O'Sullivan was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County are honored on badge.nw.
