Police Officer David O'Brien

David O'Brien

Police Officer David O'Brien was killed when a bomb exploded in the department's Central Police Station.

Officer O'Brien had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his second wife, two sons, and his mother. He was predeceased by his first wife and infant daughter. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Nine Milwaukee police officers and two civilians were killed when a bomb exploded inside of the Central Police Station at the intersection of Broadway and Oneida Street (modern-day Wells Street).

The bomb had been found in an alley between a church and its adjacent mission house. A church member and citizen brought the bomb to the police station and gave it to Station Keeper Henry Deckert, who took it to the assembly room as roll call was starting.

As the officers examined the device it exploded, killing eight officers inside of the room, one officer in the radio room above the assembly room, and two civilians who were inside of the station.

No suspects were ever identified but it was believed at the time that the bomb had been placed at the church by anarchist sympathizers.