Roll of Honor
Incident
Doorman James O'Connell died from injuries sustained in a gas explosion at the Atlantic Avenue Police Station.
Doorman O'Connell was on duty at the Atlantic Avenue Police Station when he smelled gas. Doorman O'Connell went into the basement to investigate. While in the basement, he lit a match to locate the leak. As he searched for the leak, there was an explosion. Doorman O'Connell was severely burned. He was taken to Saint Mary's Hospital, where he died four days later from his injuries.
Doorman O'Connell served with the New York City Police Department for 15 years. Doorman O'Connell was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting with the First Massachusetts Cavalry in July 1862. He served as an orderly to General Meade at the Battle of Gettysburg. After the Civil War ended, he moved to New York City with his family.
Doorman O'Connell was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
Survivors
Doorman O'Connell was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-7C69648B- 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 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.
Doorman O'Connell gave the New York City Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Thank you 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 D. O'Connell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Doorman James D. O'Connell is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James D. O'Connell's cause is highlighted.
How James D. O'Connell Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James D. O'Connell is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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