Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Police Officer

Vincent Bernard O'Donnell

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch September 26, 1929

Age 35

Tour of Duty 11 yrs 8 mo

Badge 1878

The Vigil Panel 58 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 377

Incident

Police Officer Vincent O'Donnell succumbed to injuries sustained one month earlier when he singlehandedly arrested three subjects near the intersection of 17th Street near Lycoming Avenue.

He was on his foot patrol beat when he noticed three men standing in the intersection with guns in their hands. He commandeered a vehicle at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Hunting Park Avenue and asked the driver to take him back to the intersection. As he was on the running board of the vehicle he ordered the men to "stick their hands up," at the same time one of the men made threatening comments back toward Officer O'Donnell.

As the man turned towards officer O'Donnell with his gun he was struck in the stomach with his blackjack knocking him almost unconscious. The second subject was then struck in the face with the butt of his service revolver as he lowered his gun. The third subject then attacked Officer O'Donnell from behind striking him in the stomach. He managed to strike the subject behind the ear with his blackjack with a backswing knocking the subject to the ground. The second subject was then struck in the jaw with Officer O'Donnell's blackjack rendering the subject unconscious. A female resident telephoned the local police district and told them that an officer was being murdered. Officers responded to the scene and placed the three subjects and a female accomplice under arrest.

It was later learned that they were waiting to rob an alcohol truck when spotted by Officer O'Donnell.

Because of his actions, Officer O'Donnell was commended for his bravery and awarded the Medal of Merit from the Philadelphia Public Ledger Newspaper. Officer O'Donnell died as a result of acute gangrenous appendicitis due to the blow to the stomach.

Officer O'Donnell was a U.S Army veteran of WWI and served with the Philadelphia Police Department for less than 12 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and a son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-3057FBAF
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Vincent is one person.

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 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.
Police Officer O'Donnell gave the Philadelphia Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 26, 1929

Tour of Duty 11 yrs 8 mo

Age 35

Badge Number 1878

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Military Service

Vincent Bernard O'Donnell served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Police Officer Vincent Bernard O'Donnell 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 97,759 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious