Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Monday, June 4, 1928
Add to My HeroesWilliam A. O'Connor
Patrolman William A. O'Connor was shot and mortally wounded when he walked in on three men robbing a soft drink parlor at 7135 South Halsted Street.
In an exchange of gunfire Patrolman O'Connor was hit once in the head. He died the next day at Englewood Hospital.
The three suspects, ages 21,21, and 22 were arrested 12 days later. They were found to be responsible for over two dozen other robberies. All three were convicted of Patrolman O'Connor's murder. Two were sentenced to 50 years in prison on August 9th, 1928, and the other to 20 years. The shooter was returned to court two months later to testify in other matters. He managed to slip out of a room he was being held in and escape. He was captured three years later in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The man sentenced to 50 years was paroled in 1950.
Patrolman O'Connor was survived by his wife, mother, and five brothers. Four of his brothers are police officers. He served 18 months in France during World War I.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 9 years
- Badge 3470
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, June 3, 1928
- Weapon Handgun; Revolver
- Offender Sentenced to 50 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsPatrolman O'Connor, rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 5, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Ada County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024