Patrolman

Michael W. O'Brien

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 11, 1885
Age 22
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Badge 389
The Vigil Panel 8 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Michael O'Brien was shot and killed by a shoemaker at 195 West Adams Street. Officer O'Brien heard gunfire coming from his shop and proceeded inside to investigate. He discovered the distraught shoemaker firing his pistol at the floor. Upon seeing the officer, he placed the gun against the officer's chest and fired killing Officer O'Brien instantly. The shoemaker then shot and killed himself.

Survivors

Officer Michael O'Brien served the Chicago Police Department for 11 months and was survived by his fiancée.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman O'Brien served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 11, 1885
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Age 22
Badge Number 389
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1885, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 22. 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. Michael had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Michael W. O'Brien

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch November 11, 1885

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E

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