Police Officer Thomas J. O'Neill

Police Officer Thomas J. O'Neill

Baltimore City Police Department, Maryland

End of Watch Sunday, October 16, 1949

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Thomas J. O'Neill

Police Officer Thomas O'Neill suffered a fatal hemorrhage after conducting a motorcycle escort for a medical emergency at 10:00 pm. During the escort, Officer O'Neill's motorcycle stalled at an intersection and he tried for several minutes to get it restarted using the kick-starter. He was able to get it started and joined the ambulance and other motorcycle officers at Sydenham Hospital. Several minutes later Officer O'Neill collapsed.

A nearby doctor immediately attended to the officer and determined his condition was so bad that he needed to be transported to Mercy Hospital. Doctors at Mercy Hospital attended to Officer O'Neill for several hours, but he died as a result of the hemorrhage at approximately 6:45 am the following morning.

A medical investigation determined that the hemorrhage was a result of the stress of the transport, combined with attempting to restart his motorcycle and a previous on-duty motorcycle accident several weeks prior.

Officer O'Neill had served with the Baltimore Police Department for 21 years and was assigned to the Traffic Division. He was survived by his wife, three children, sister, and four brothers. His identical twin brother also served with the agency.

Bio

  • Age 50
  • Tour 21 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Duty related illness
  • Incident Date Saturday, October 15, 1949

emergency response

Most Recent Reflection

View all 17 Reflections

Dear Officer O’Neill,

Through the advancement of modern technology I am honoured to be able to post a lasting tribute to you.

If my math is correct you would be 124 years old if still alive today. You were born in 1899 and passed away 74 years ago at age 50. Still so much life to live with your growing young family. The tributes left to you through the years paint you as a wonderful, kind and loving father who was greatly missed. You are the patriarch of a wonderfully proud and accomplished family. This should make you very proud.

May you forever RIP Officer O’Neill and may your descendants continue to smile upon your memory and know that their loved one made such a wonderful imprint on their lives and all the lives that you touched.

Thank you for your service and sacrifices. We can never say it enough.

Renée & John Ford Pembroke Pines, Florida USA

February 17, 2023

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