St. Paul Police Department, Minnesota
End of Watch: Thursday, April 16, 1981
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: April 16, 1981
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Killed in crash
Police Officer John O'Brien was killed when a vehicle that was driving recklessly and fleeing other officers struck his patrol car, driving 50 mph at Forest and Geranium Avenues.
The impact caused Officer O'Brien's vehicle to roll over and strike a house. Officer O'Brien's partner was critically injured. Two teenagers in the other car were killed, and one was severely injured.
Officer O'Brien had been with the St. Paul Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. He was also survived by two brothers who were also officers with the department.