Patrolman Richard James O'Brien, aged 33, was a dedicated officer of the Chicago Police Department. On February 9, 1982, he was tragically killed in the line of duty. O'Brien and his partner, Patrolman William Peter Fahey, were conducting a routine traffic stop when they pulled over a brown 1978 Chevy Impala at 8110 South Morgan Street. The driver, Jackie F. Wilson, age 21, and his brother, Andrew Wilson, age 29, were in the vehicle. It was alleged that the Wilson brothers were on their way to free convicted cop murderer Edgar Hope.
During the traffic stop, a confrontation ensued. Jackie Wilson exited the vehicle and began arguing with Officer O'Brien, refusing to produce his driver's license. Officer Fahey noticed a suspicious object on Andrew Wilson and ordered him to exit the vehicle. A struggle broke out when Officer Fahey attempted to place Andrew Wilson in custody. During the struggle, Andrew Wilson disarmed Officer Fahey and shot him once in the head, causing severe brain damage. Andrew Wilson then turned on Officer O'Brien, shooting him three times in the chest. Despite being critically injured, Officer O'Brien was still moving, prompting Jackie Wilson to shout to his brother, "still up and about". Andrew Wilson then shot Officer O'Brien two more times, once in the arm and once in the hip.
After the shooting, the Wilson brothers fled the scene in their vehicle. They made a U-turn and returned to the scene to grab both officers' firearms before fleeing southbound on Morgan Street. The brothers were later apprehended and convicted of the murders. Initially sentenced to death, their sentences were commuted to life in prison by Governor George Ryan in 2003, along with those of all other inmates on death row at the time.
Patrolman Richard James O'Brien was honored posthumously and remembered for his dedication and service to the Chicago Police Department. His legacy lives on through memorials and tributes, including his name on the Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.
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