Manassas Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Sunday, July 24, 1988
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 23
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 24, 1988
Weapon Used: Rifle; AR-15
Suspect Info: Executed
Sergeant John Conner was shot and killed after responding to a report of a man sitting on his front porch with an AR-15 rifle and firing shots in the air.
As police units arrived, the suspect entered his townhouse and exited the rear door. Sergeant Conner was approaching the rear of the townhouse when he encountered the suspect. Shots were exchanged, with the suspect being shot in the foot and Sergeant Conner being shot three times. The suspect was taken into custody by other officers.
Sergeant Conner was transported to a local hospital and then flown to Fairfax Hospital where he died several few hours later. The fatal wound was a gunshot to the back of Sergeant Conner's head.
The investigation revealed the suspect had been involved in an argument earlier in the day with his wife and was upset.
The suspect was later convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed nine years later.
Sergeant Conner succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Sergeant Conner was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Manassas Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and four children.