St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 16, 1949
Age: 68
Tour of Duty: 31 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 16, 1949
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Detective William O'Brien was shot and killed while making a routine check on a pawnshop at 1401 Franklin Avenue. As he entered the shop he interrupted a robbery which was taking place and was shot in the chest. The two suspects then shot and wounded the owners before fleeing with stolen property.
Both suspects, age 23, were later apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. Both were later convicted of three armed robberies and each were sentenced to three life terms to run concurrently with their first life sentence.
Detective O'Brien was assigned to the Tracing Bureau and had been with the agency for 31 years. He was survived by his wife and daughters.