Patrolman
Martin John O'Brien
East Chicago Police Department
Thursday, May 24, 1934

Age: 45
Served: 14 years
Badge #:
Panel 50E, Line 14
Panel L19, Line 6

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Thursday, May 24, 1934
11:15 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
Gary Road near Cline Avenue, East Chicago
Incident County:
Lake
Incident Township:
North
Weapon Used:
Thompson submachine gun
Suspect Disposition:
None
Burial Place:
Calvary Cemetery, Portage

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   Patrolman Martin O'Brien and Patrolman Francis Mulvihill were shot and killed by men believed to be part of the Dillinger Gang.

   The officers were patrolling a rural section of Gary Road when they stopped next to a parked car with four occupants. The suspects opened fire with Thompson submachine guns without warning, striking both officers multiple times before fleeing the scene.

   Their bodies were found inside their squad car by a night watchman who was walking to work at a nearby business.

   Patrolman O'Brien was survived by his wife and three children.

Historical Notes

• The Dillinger Gang were involved in the line of duty deaths of five Indiana officers:
Indiana State Trooper Eugene Orville Teague – December 20, 1933
East Chicago Patrolman William Patrick O'Malley – January 15, 1934
East Chicago Patrolman Francis Lloyd Mulvihill – May 24, 1934
South Bend Patrolman Howard C. Wagner – June 30, 1934
• This incident was one of 24 which resulted in the line of duty deaths of two officers.



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