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Incident
Patrolman James O'Brien was shot and killed while attempting to question a man at a bar at 353 Collinsville Avenue. Patrolman O'Brien observed the man inside the bar and asked him to meet out front for further questioning. When the man failed to follow him outside Patrolman O'Brien re-entered the bar and was told the man had fled out of the rear door. As Patrolman O'Brien exited the bar's rear door, he was shot in the head and killed. His reason for wanting to talk to the man is unknown. In 1927 the 28-year-old suspect was arrested in Chicago for the murder of a man in New York a few days earlier. When he was returned to New York he admitted to the murder of Patrolman O'Brien. New York officials told Illinois officials if he was acquitted of the murder in their state they would return him to Illinois. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. His third child was born one week after his murder.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Brien gave the East St. Louis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 2 officers at East St. Louis Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 3.
In 1919, 16 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 37. Of the 17 killed feloniously at East St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 43. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 37. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at East St. Louis Police Department; February holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 22.2%.
April holds 9.5% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
