East St. Louis Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Tuesday, April 1, 1919
Add to My HeroesJames O'Brien
Patrolman James O'Brien was shot and killed while attempting to question a man at a bar at 353 Collinsville Avenue.
Patrolman O'Brien observed the man inside the bar and asked him to meet out front for further questioning. When the man failed to follow him outside Patrolman O'Brien re-entered the bar and was told the man had fled out of the rear door. As Patrolman O'Brien exited the bar's rear door, he was shot in the head and killed. His reason for wanting to talk to the man is unknown.
In 1927 the 28-year-old suspect was arrested in Chicago for the murder of a man in New York a few days earlier. When he was returned to New York he admitted to the murder of Patrolman O'Brien. New York officials told Illinois officials if he was acquitted of the murder in their state they would return him to Illinois.
Patrolman O'Brien had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. His third child was born one week after his murder.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Arrested
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsRest in peace Patrolman O'Brien.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 15, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025

Police Officer Kelvin Patrick
Detroit Police Department, MI
EOW: February 6, 2025

Supervisory Special Agent Dennis M. Wagner, Jr.
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, US
EOW: March 5, 2025

Police Officer Kendall Isaiah Corder
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: June 29, 2025

Undersheriff Brandon Gaede
Phillips County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: June 27, 2025

Sergeant Shiou Deng
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: June 23, 2025