Officer James M. O'Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop. He was off duty when he observed two men snatch a woman's purse and flee the area in a vehicle.
Officer O'Connor pursued the vehicle and asked citizens to call the police. When the vehicle stopped, the driver exited and fired on Officer O'Connor.
During an exchange of gunfire, both Officer O'Connor and the assailant were fatally wounded.
Officer James O'Connor is a 17-month veteran of the Chicago Police Department.