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William O'Brien
Agency patch
Patrolman

William O'Brien

Rochester Police Department — Rochester, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch May 2, 1919
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 344
The Vigil Panel 37 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 16

Incident

Patrolman William O'Brien was shot and killed while investigating a burglary, at 290 Garson Avenue, at approximately 9:00 pm. Patrolman O'Brien responded to the scene on his police motorcycle and caught the man exiting the back door of the house. When he ordered the man to stop the subject fired a single round, striking Patrolman O'Brien in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, Patrolman O'Brien was able to return fire but did not strike the man. The subject fled to the front of the house and dove through a window to escape. A special police officer who was working in the area due to a recent rash of burglaries heard the gunshots and also responded to the scene. He captured the suspect following a short foot pursuit. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman O'Brien's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 29th, 1920. Patrolman O'Brien had served with the Rochester Police Department for five years and had previously served with the Rochester Fire Department.

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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 Rochester Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rochester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Brien.

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

Agency

Department Rochester Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Rochester, Monroe County, NY
Platform Identity rpd.monroe.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 2, 1919
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge Number 344
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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

Rochester Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William O'Brien

Rochester Police Department · End of Watch May 2, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W

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