Incident
Officer Michael O'Brien was shot and killed by a shoemaker at 195 West Adams Street. Officer O'Brien heard gunfire coming from his shop and proceeded inside to investigate. He discovered the distraught shoemaker firing his pistol at the floor. Upon seeing the officer, he placed the gun against the officer's chest and fired killing Officer O'Brien instantly. The shoemaker then shot and killed himself.
Survivors
Officer Michael O'Brien served the Chicago Police Department for 11 months and was survived by his fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D51B894D- 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
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman O'Brien served with the Chicago Police Department.
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 W. 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 W. O'Brien's cause is highlighted.
How Michael W. O'Brien Compares
Offender Outcome
committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael W. O'Brien is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael W. O'Brien was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
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