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Incident
Deputy Joseph O'Connor was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic on I-90 three miles east of Spokane at 4:30 am. The drunk driver entered the accident scene at a high rate of speed and struck Deputy O'Connor, throwing him 300 feet and killing him instantly. The 24-year-old subject was apprehended, convicted of negligent homicide, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Deputy O'Connor had served with the Spokane County Sheriff's Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and three children. In 2023, The Argonne/Mullen overpass was renamed in honor of Deputy Joseph M. O'Connor.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff O'Connor gave the Spokane County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff O'Connor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane County Sheriff's Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 38. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 38. 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. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 18.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Spokane County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.9% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Spokane County Sheriff's Department has 5 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Spokane County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
