James J. O'Brien

Seattle Police Department — Seattle, WA

Felonious

End of Watch January 21, 1921

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

The Vigil Panel 40 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 59

Incident

Detective James O'Brien was shot and killed near 705 2nd Avenue at approximately 10:00 pm when he and his partner spotted a man fitting the description of the suspect wanted for the murders of Police Officer William Angle and Police Officer Neil McMillan. The two officers had been shot one hour earlier. When Detective O'Brien and his partner identified themselves, the suspect drew a handgun and shots were exchanged. During the exchange, Detective O'Brien was killed. The suspect was apprehended and tried for all three murders six days later. He was convicted, sentenced to death, and hanged at Walla Walla State Prison on April 1, 1921. Detective O'Brien had served with the Seattle Police Department for 11 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WA-53A0883A
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective O'Brien gave the Seattle Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective O'Brien.

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

Agency

Department Seattle Police Department

Location Seattle, WA

Platform Identity seatpd.king.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 21, 1921

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Executed in 1921

Detective James J. 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Seattle Police Department, 44 of 60 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.

Seattle Police Department

of 60 officers

73.3% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious