Michael W. O'Brien
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael W. O'Brien

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 11, 1885
Age 22
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Badge 389
The Vigil Panel 8 ›
Gender Male

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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. 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

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

Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 11, 1885
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Age 22
Badge Number 389
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender committed suicide

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.

Chicago Police Department
396
of 571 officers
69.4% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael W. O'Brien's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Michael W. O'Brien Compares

Age at End of Watch
22
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.9
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

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.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael W. O'Brien was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location