Trooper Daniel L. O'Brien, Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island

Trooper Daniel L. O'Brien

Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island

End of Watch Tuesday, August 31, 1954

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Daniel 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.

His abandoned patrol car was found with just the siren sticking out of the water and 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 a fiancee.

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

hurricane, water rescue, weather

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Most Recent Reflection

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It will be 71 years on August 31st that I lost the first love of my life, RI State Trooper, Daniel Lowell O’Brien. I have remembered him every single day. I’ll always love him and look forward to seeing him again in the next life. As I am almost 90, it will not be long before that day comes.

Meredith (Merry) Holt Cassick
Fiancée

June 4, 2025