Police Officer John J. O'Brien

Police Officer John J. O'Brien | Saint Paul Police Department, Minnesota
Saint Paul Police Department, Minnesota
Police Officer John J. O'Brien

Saint Paul Police Department, Minnesota

End of Watch Thursday, April 16, 1981

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John J. O'Brien

Police Officer John O'Brien was killed when a vehicle that was driving recklessly and fleeing other officers struck his patrol car, driving 50 mph at Forest and Geranium Avenues.

The impact caused Officer O'Brien's vehicle to roll over and strike a house. Officer O'Brien's partner was critically injured. Two teenagers in the other car were killed, and one was severely injured.

Officer O'Brien had been with the St. Paul Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. He was also survived by two brothers who were also officers with the department.

Bio

  • Age 37
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicular assault
  • Weapon Automobile
  • Offender Killed in crash

juvenile offender, vehicle pursuit

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Sincere thanks to you who have remembered my amazing husband. It has now been 44 years and the children are grown and two of them have children of their own. There are even 5 great-grandchildren now and they too have been denied the pure joy of knowing him. That loss is more than I have words for. Of course, life goes on, yet many times memory turns back every leaf. Once a year he and other law enforcement are formally remembered, yet every day there is a sense of loss for those of us who loved him best. The huge void where there should have been memories is heartbreaking, yet God's will is perfect. We will always remember with love.

Joan O'Brien
widow

May 2, 2025

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