Patrolman Roderick Donald O'Connor

Patrolman Roderick Donald O'Connor

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, July 27, 1950

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Roderick Donald O'Connor

Patrolman O’Connor succumbed to injuries he received in a motorcycle accident two days earlier.

Patrolman O’Connor was on patrol when he attempted to get on the entrance ramp for the Gowanus Expressway, near Hicks Street, when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck a wall. It is believed that an improperly maintained motorcycle was what caused him to lose control. He was removed to Methodist Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Patrolman O’Connor was a US Navy veteran of WWII and was assigned to Motorcycle Precinct 2, the present day Highway 2. He served with he New York City Police Department for three years and was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

  • Age 26
  • Tour 3 years
  • Badge 2575
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Motorcycle crash
  • Incident Date Tuesday, July 25, 1950

patrol

Most Recent Reflection

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Roderick Donald O'Connor was my father. He died before my third birthday, but I remember the toy fire truck he gave me the day before his accident and a trip to the beach two days before that. My relatives have told me that he was very much like me (which I take as a compliment!). I wish I could have known him better. My mother re-married another motorcycle officer several years later and he adopted me and my sister. He was the father who raised and loved me, but I will always miss my birth father.

Roderick Donald O'Connor Andersson
Son

July 27, 2021

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