New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Friday, July 26, 1957
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 16061
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: July 24, 1957
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 1 year
Patrolman Edward O'Leary was killed when a prisoner grabbed the steering wheel of his patrol car, intentionally causing it to crash.
He was working a plainclothes assignment and had arrested the woman for prostitution. He was transporting her to the police station when she grabbed the steering wheel at the intersection of Central Park West and West 105th Street. The woman yanked the steering wheel, causing the patrol car to strike an oncoming bus head-on. Patrolman O'Leary suffered severe head injuries and was transported to Knickerbocker Hospital where he died two days later. Six passengers on the bus suffered minor injuries.
The 21-year-old woman fled the scene in a taxi cab but turned herself in. She was charged with prostitution, escaping custody, and murder. In court her attorney said she just wanted to escape because she was afraid of the withdrawal symptoms she would go through if she could not get her heroin. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year in jail. In 1959 she was arrested for possession of heroin with intent to sell.
Patrolman O'Leary had served with the New York City Police Department for 11 years and was assigned to the 7th Division. He was survived by his wife and three children.