Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island
End of Watch Tuesday, August 31, 1954
Add to My HeroesDaniel L. O'Brien
Trooper Daniel O'Brien drowned while performing rescue operations in East Matunuck during Hurricane Carol. Trooper O'Brien was near Succotash Road, informing residents of the oceanfront homes to evacuate, when rapidly rising water crippled his patrol car. While helping a citizen, a large wave separated the two and washed Trooper O'Brien away.
Trooper O'Brien's abandoned patrol car was found with just the siren sticking out of the water; his body was found lying face down in debris near Post Road in the marsh in East Matunuck.
Trooper O'Brien was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and had served with the Rhode Island State Police for three years. He was survived by his parents, three brothers, one sister, and fiance.
He was posthumously awarded the agency's State Police Service Ribbon.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 3 years
- Badge 40
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Weather/Natural disaster
Most Recent Reflection
View all 23 ReflectionsI am now 86 years old. I lost you when I was 19. I am still in love with you and always will be. When you drowned in Hurricane Carol, my mother said, "You have experienced the worst thing that will ever happen to you." She was right!
Meredith Cass[ck
fiancee
April 27, 2022
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