Daniel T. O'Connell

New Haven Police Dept. — New Haven, CT

Felonious

End of Watch August 15, 1938

Age 42

The Vigil Panel 75 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 22

Incident

Patrolman Daniel O'Connell was shot and killed with his own service weapon while struggling with a prisoner in the back of a patrol wagon on Saltonstall Avenue. The suspect had been arrested earlier in the evening for assaulting a family member. A patrol wagon had been called to transport the man from the Chapel Street Station to the downtown station. Prior to leaving for downtown, the wagon driver picked up Patrolman O'Connell to assist him with the transport. As Patrolman O'Connell rode in the back of the wagon, the suspect attacked him. The man was able to gain control of Patrolman O'Connell's service revolver and fatally shot him. The man was then taken into custody by another officer and an off-duty fireman. On January 27th, 1939, the suspect, 36, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Survivors

Patrolman O'Connell was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CT-4A512DB5
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Connell served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Connell.

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

Agency

Department New Haven Police Dept.

Location New Haven, CT

Platform Identity newhpd.southcentral.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 15, 1938

Age 42

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman Daniel T. 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Haven Police Dept., 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.

New Haven Police Dept.

of 23 officers

43.5% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious