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Richard James O'Brien
Agency patch
Patrolman

Richard James O'Brien

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch February 9, 1982
Age 33
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Badge 5337
The Vigil Panel 276 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Patrolmen Richard James O'Brien and William Fahey were shot and killed during a traffic stop at about 2:00 pm, several hours after attending the funeral of Patrolman James Doyle. They had stopped a car they observed run a red light at the intersection of 81st Street and Morgan Street. Patrolman O'Brien, who was driving the squad car, approached the driver's side of the car while Patrolman William Fahey approached the passenger side. Patrolman Fahey ordered the passenger out and patted him down for a weapon. As he was attempting to handcuff the passenger, the man gained control of his .357 Magnum revolver, spun around, and fired at close range. The bullet struck Patrolman Fahey behind the left ear. The assailant then fired across the trunk of the car, striking Patrolman O'Brien in the left arm and hip. One of the men in the vehicle then disarmed Patrolman O'Brien and the two fled the scene. Help was first summoned to the scene when a voice was heard over the police radio system: "Emergency! Emergency! Two policemen have been shot at 81st and Morgan." It was later learned to be the voice of a witness to the shooting who ran to the squad car and grabbed the microphone when he saw the officers fall. Patrolman O’Brien died a short time after the shooting at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park. Patrolman Fahey died the following morning at 11:14 a.m. without regaining consciousness. Both officers were assigned to the Gang Crimes South Unit, however, they were not regular partners. Patrolman O'Brien's regular partner was off sick, and Patrolman Fahey's was filling in on a desk job for a furloughed policeman. The killers were apprehended, convicted, and sentenced to death. On January 10th, 2003, the governor at the time, George Ryan commuted their sentences, along with those of all 164 other inmates on death row, to life in prison. Patrolman Richard J. O’Brien was a 9-year veteran of the department. During his tenure, he received 6 honorable mentions and numer

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Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Brien gave the Chicago Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Brien.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch February 9, 1982
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 33
Badge Number 5337
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Richard was 33. 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. Richard had served 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

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

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, Richard among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Richard James O'Brien

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch February 9, 1982

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E

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