Patrolman James O'Brien was shot and killed while attempting to question a man at a local bar.
Patrolman O'Brien observed the man, who was a known criminal, inside the bar and asked him to meet out front for further questioning. When the man failed to follow him outside Patrolman O'Brien re-entered the bar and was told the man had fled out of the rear door. As Patrolman O'Brien exited the bar's rear door, he was shot in the head and killed.
Patrolman O'Brien had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children. His third child was born one week after his murder
