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Incident
Chief O'Reilly was shot and killed around 1:15 p.m. at Main and 5th Streets by a suspect he had arrested the previous day for impersonating a Texas Ranger.
On the previous day, Chief O'Reilly disarmed a local preacher who was representing himself as a Texas Ranger. When Chief O'Reilly confirmed that the preacher was not a sworn peace officer, he arrested him and brought him before the county attorney who released the preacher without any charges. The suspect, minister of the First Baptist Church, was upset that Chief O'Reilly had taken his weapons and on the following day drove by and shot him in the head with a shotgun.
He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison but was released after four years and was later pardoned in 1943.
Chief O'Reilly was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Chief O'Reilly was survived by his wife and child.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police O'Reilly gave the Orange Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Orange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police O'Reilly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orange Police Department has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 2 officers at Orange Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 41. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Orange Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 44.8; the middle age was 41. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Edward was 41. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Edward was 41. 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. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 25% of these deaths at Orange Police Department; April holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at Orange Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Orange Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Orange Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
