Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch Thursday, June 22, 1978
Add to My HeroesQuin Edward O'Brien
Sergeant O'Brien and Deputy Michael Geszvain were shot and killed when a prisoner gained control of Deputy Geszvain's service weapon.
The officers were standing in court with the prisoner when the incident occurred. The suspect exchanged shots with another deputy on the first floor of the courthouse. Sergent O'Brien was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The suspect used an attorney as a shield to leave the courtroom. He was apprehended after taking a social worker hostage and forcing her to drive to Madison, Wisconsin. The man was sentenced to two counts of life in prison. He was up for parole in 2000, and it was denied for another 20 years.
Sergeant O'Brien was a United States Army and Marine veteran. He had served 24 years with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Bio
- Age 50
- Tour 24 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, June 21, 1978
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Related LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Michael Geszvain
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, WI
EOW: June 21, 1978
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsDear Uncle Quinn and all your family and children and my Dad your brother who loved you so much i think of you so often . You gave 25 years of your life to law enforcement to protect and serve . Your Dad was a Wisconsin state senator and also served the people . I hope you and your brothers and parents are all together again . Hugs and love your niece Kathleen O’Brien
Kathleen OBrien
Niece
December 11, 2022
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