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Patrolman

John J. O'Brien

New York Metropolitan Police Force — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch August 25, 1864
Age 29
The Vigil Panel 9 · Column 3 · Line 10 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 21

Incident

Patrolman John O'Brien was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a wanted fugitive. Patrolman O'Brien spotted the suspect as he walked his beat. Patrolman O'Brien pursued the suspect into a liquor store at the corner of 41st Street and 8th Avenue and attempted to arrest him. The suspect drew a pistol and shot Patrolman O'Brien in the head. Although wounded, Patrolman O'Brien pursued the suspect to 40th street, where he collapsed from loss of blood. Patrolman O'Brien was removed to the hospital where he died four days later from his wounds. The suspect was apprehended 14 years later and charged with murder. Patrolman O'Brien was assigned to the 17th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children and is buried in Brooklyn, New York.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman O'Brien served with the New York Metropolitan Police Force.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department New York Metropolitan Police Force
Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nympd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 25, 1864
Age 29
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1864, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York Metropolitan Police Force has 22 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman John J. O'Brien

New York Metropolitan Police Force · End of Watch August 25, 1864

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E

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