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Incident
Constable Daniel O'Brien was shot and killed when he interrupted somebody attempting to steal chickens from the chicken coup in his backyard on Susquehanna Road.
He was awoken at approximately 1:00 am by noises in the backyard of his home, across the street from Hillside Cemetery. As he and his father went to investigate they exchanged shots with at least one subject inside the chicken coup. Constable O'Brien was fatally struck in the chest by a blast from a shotgun and his father was wounded.
The subjects fled the scene. Two men were arrested several days later but charges were later dismissed when prosecutors determined they could not secure a conviction. One of the subjects was then convicted of multiple counts of larceny for similar thefts of chickens. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
At the time of his murder, investigators believed that Constable O'Brien was targeted and ambushed due to enforcement efforts he took against local thieves.
Constable O'Brien had served as a constable for Abington Township for two years.
He was awoken at approximately 1:00 am by noises in the backyard of his home, across the street from Hillside Cemetery. As he and his father went to investigate they exchanged shots with at least one subject inside the chicken coup. Constable O'Brien was fatally struck in the chest by a blast from a shotgun and his father was wounded.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable O'Brien served with the Abington Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Abington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable O'Brien.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Abington Township Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1904, 4 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 26. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Daniel was 26. 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.
Daniel was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Abington Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.4% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Abington Township Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Abington Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
