Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James J. O'Brien was shot to death and his partner was critically wounded at 1:45 A.M. at the southwest corner of 63rd and Halsted Streets by an 25-year-old auto thief who was also wounded by O'Brien's partner. The officers came upon him as he was tampering with a car door lock. Although wounded, he escaped in a stolen car but was captured the same day in a doctor's office in Oak Lawn where he went for medical aid. On September 17th, 1928, he was held by the coroner to the grand jury, which indicted him for murder. The suspect, age 27, was convicted of Patrolman O'Brien's murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison on January 25th, 1929. He applied for clemency on April 8, 1939. He was released at some point between 1941 and 1943. The exact date is unknown. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the Chicago Police Department for six years and was assigned to the 15th District. He was survived by his wife and five sons. He was a World War I veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-01C219BC- 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 James. 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 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.
Patrolman O'Brien gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James J. O'Brien served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman James J. O'Brien 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How James J. O'Brien Compares
Offender Outcome
Released between 1941 and 1943
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. O'Brien is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. O'Brien was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
