Thomas G. O'Connor

Portland Police Bureau — Portland, OR

Felonious

End of Watch August 30, 1867

Age 43

Tour of Duty 4 mo

The Vigil Panel 3 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 30

Incident

Deputy Marshal Thomas O'Connor was shot and killed near the intersection of SW First Avenue and SW Morrison Street as he and another deputy marshal attempted to arrest a man for shooting a gun in the city. When the officers approached the man he fled. Deputy Marshal O'Connor caught the man after a short foot chase and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the man pointed a gun at Deputy Marshal O'Connor's chest. As Deputy Marshal O'Connor pushed the gun down the suspect fired, with the round striking him in the leg. The other deputy marshal shot the suspect, fatally wounding him. Deputy Marshal O'Connor was taken for medical treatment, but infection set in and he died of the wound to his leg nine days later. Deputy Marshal O'Connor had served with the Portland Police Bureau for only four months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OR-AFF1ED0A
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

159 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy City Marshal O'Connor served with the Portland Police Bureau.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Portland Police Bureau

Location Portland, OR

Platform Identity ppb.multnomah.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 30, 1867

Tour of Duty 4 mo

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy City Marshal Thomas G. O'Connor 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Portland Police Bureau, 12 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this agency's fallen.

Portland Police Bureau

of 31 officers

38.7% Felonious

OR — Statewide

115

of 197 officers

58.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious