Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael O'Brien was shot and killed as he attempted to place an offender under arrest at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Quinn Street. He and his partner dispersed a crowd causing a disturbance behind a tavern. During a search for concealed weapons, one of the men resisted and made his escape. Shortly thereafter, Patrolman O'Brien and his partner observed the offender walking down the alley. After ignoring an order to halt, the gunman fired one shot, striking Patrolman O'Brien. Before dying Patrolman O'Brien identified the suspect, who was arrested. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman O'Brien's murder and sentenced to 17 years in prison. The man insisted that he was innocent and claimed it was another man who shot Patrolman O'Brien. A .32 caliber pistol was found on him at the time he was arrested, yet it was determined that Patrolman O'Brien was shot with a .44 caliber pistol. On May 12th, 1888, the man who the suspect claimed shot Patrolman O'Brien, shot and seriously wounded another Chicago police officer. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. On August 9th, 1890, he told prison officials that he was the man who shot Patrolman O'Brien. The first suspect was released six days later. The second suspect was charged with Patrolman O'Brien's murder. He was also charged with four other murders, numerous assaults, burglaries, and robberies that he admitted to. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the Chicago Police Department for less than 15 years and was assigned to the Deering Street Station.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-21618802- 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
139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman O'Brien gave the Chicago Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael 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. Michael O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How Michael O'Brien Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael O'Brien is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael O'Brien was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
