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Thomas J. O'Sullivan
Incident
Constable Thomas O'Sullivan was shot and killed as he and another constable confronted two burglars at the Pittsburgh, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad station in East Pittsburgh.
Constable John O'Brien was at home when he had been alerted to two suspicious mean in East Pittsburgh at approximately 10:25 pm and called on Constable O'Sullivan to accompany him. They located the man and followed them to the railroad station. As the constables stood in the shadows they observed one the men walk away to serve as a lookout as the other man opened a window to the railroad office.
As he prepared to climb inside the constables confronted him and arrested him. Constable O`Sullivan began walking him to jail as Constable O'Brien started after the lookout.
As Constable O'Sullivan and the man walked through an alley the man suddenly pulled out a revolver and shot him twice, killing him instantly. Hearing the shots, Constable O'Brien ran into the alley and started struggling with the man before he was shot three times, including once in the head.
Both suspects fled the scene. It is not known if they were ever arrested.
Constable O'Brien was taken to the hospital in Braddock Borough. His health continued to deteriorate and it is believed he passed away from his wound in October 1907, but his death has not been verified.
Constable O'Sullivan was the elected constable of the Braddock Borough Third Ward. He also held commissions as a police officer for Braddock Borough and as a detective for the Pittsburgh, Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable O'Sullivan served with the Pennsylvania State Constable.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable O'Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County has lost 11 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1907, 1 officer at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 2.
In 1907, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 30. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 48.8; the middle age was 40.5.
Thomas was 30. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Thomas was 30. 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.
Thomas was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 40% of these deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
July holds 8% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90.9% of all 11 deaths at Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 3% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County has 11 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Henry Hess Jul 26, 1874
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Samuel Norman Jul 27, 1877
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William Shields Oct 16, 1903
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Thomas J. O'Sullivan
Jul 12, 1907
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Martin F. Windt
Dec 29, 1913
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Thomas Pugh Jun 15, 1916
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Peter B. Hoarty Jul 13, 1916
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John Mancos Jul 22, 1925
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Walter H. Gant Sep 16, 1925
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Martin Pluter
Apr 16, 1934
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Andrew Joseph Conroy Jan 21, 1938
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Pennsylvania State Constable - Allegheny County are honored on badge.nw.
