Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 24, 1978
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 108
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 24, 1978
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Three suspects apprehended
Trooper Conroy O'Brien was shot and killed during a traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike near Matfield Green.
During a struggle with the three suspects, they obtained his service weapon. One of the subjects then walked him to a nearby ditch and pistol-whipped him, fracturing his skull. The man then shot him twice in the head before spitting on him.
The subjects were later apprehended after a shootout with other officers. One turned state's evidence and served seven years, another died in prison in 2009, and the third man was sentenced to serve 45 years to life. The suspects were all wanted for a string of armed robberies at the time of the shooting.
Trooper O'Brien had served with the Kansas Highway Patrol for four years. He was survived by his expectant wife.