Chief of Police Edward James O'Reilly

Chief of Police Edward James O'Reilly | Orange Police Department, Texas
Orange Police Department, Texas
Chief of Police Edward James O'Reilly

Orange Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, May 29, 1935

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Edward James O'Reilly

Chief O'Reilly was shot and killed around 1:15 p.m. at Main and 5th Streets by a suspect he had arrested the previous day for impersonating a Texas Ranger.

On the previous day, Chief O'Reilly disarmed a local preacher who was representing himself as a Texas Ranger. When Chief O'Reilly confirmed that the preacher was not a sworn peace officer, he arrested him and brought him before the county attorney who released the preacher without any charges. The suspect, minister of the First Baptist Church, was upset that Chief O'Reilly had taken his weapons and on the following day drove by and shot him in the head with a shotgun.

He was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison but was released after four years and was later pardoned in 1943.

Chief O'Reilly was survived by his wife and child.

Bio

  • Age 41
  • Tour 3 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Shotgun
  • Offender Sentenced to 5 years

ambush, revenge

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Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 29, 2015

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