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Incident
Patrolman Jeremiah O'Connor suffered a fatal heart attack following a foot pursuit of a drunk man in the area of Franklin Street and Common Street.
The drunk mand had broken the door of a laundromat after having an argument with the proprietor. Patrolman O'Connor found the man in a nearby bar on Franklin Street and arrested him. As he walked him to a call box on Common Street the man broke free and fled on foot. Patrolman O'Connor chased him down and took him into custody again.
He walked him back to the call box but began to suffer chest pains. He then walked into another laundromat to rest but suddenly collapsed. A passerby used the call box to alert the desk sergeant that Patrolman O'Connor collapsed. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The man he had arrested was charged with being drunk in public.
Patrolman O'Connor had served with the Lawrence Police Department for 32 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two 10 children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman O'Connor gave the Lawrence Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Lawrence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Connor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Lawrence Police Department has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Jeremiah is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 2 officers in MA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1950, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1950, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Jeremiah was 61. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Jeremiah had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Jeremiah was 61. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Jeremiah had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Jeremiah was 61. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Jeremiah had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in MA; June holds the most, 18.2%. Tuesdays: 6.8%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Lawrence Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 22.7% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Lawrence Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Jeremiah among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lawrence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
