Inspector Thomas S. O'Connor, a 26-year-old male, was tragically killed on January 30, 1911, in Hudspeth County, Texas. He was serving with the United States Customs Service at the time of his death. Inspector O'Connor and a justice of the peace were confronting a father and his two sons near the riverfront at Fort Hancock. These men were suspected of being part of a gang of outlaws involved in the disappearance and murder of Special Agent J.A. McClure of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad Police, which had occurred five days earlier. During the confrontation, as Inspector O'Connor and the justice searched two of the family members, the third drew a pistol and shot Inspector O'Connor four times, resulting in his death. One of the suspects and the justice were wounded in the ensuing shootout.
Following the incident, a posse pursued the three suspects and caught up with them near Fort Hancock two days later. In the gun battle that ensued, the father and one of the brothers were killed, while the other brother was arrested. The arrested brother confessed to their involvement in the murder of Special Agent McClure. Inspector O'Connor had served with the United States Customs Service for two years and was survived by his wife, two children, and his mother. He was buried in the Concordia Cemetery in El Paso.
