John Wesley O'Bryen

Etowah County Sheriff's Dept. — Gadsden, AL

Felonious

End of Watch September 1, 1929

Age 43

The Vigil Panel 58 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Sheriff John O'Bryen was shot and killed near Gasden as he walked out of a church after attending Sunday services.

Horrified members of the congregation said a man walked up to him, shot him three times, and then fired two more shots into his body after he fell to the ground. The suspect immediately surrendered to the sheriff. Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen had seized a gallon of bootleg liquor from the man during a raid at his home earlier that morning.

The 23-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentence to 15 years. In June of 1930 he was granted a new trial, convicted again of second degree murder, but sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled on May 24, 1939.

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your fellow law enforcement.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 1st, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-F860DB10
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 John. 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'Bryen served with the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gadsden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff O'Bryen.

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

Agency

Department Etowah County Sheriff's Dept.

Location Gadsden, AL

Platform Identity ecso.etowah.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 1, 1929

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender paroled in 1939

Deputy Sheriff John Wesley O'Bryen 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Etowah County Sheriff's Dept., 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.

Etowah County Sheriff's Dept.

of 6 officers

83.3% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious