Trooper Conroy G. O’Brien

Conroy George O’Brien was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on May 4, 1952. He attended Fairfield Rural High School in Langdon, Kansas. Following graduation, he attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, then Wichita State University.

He joined the Patrol on September 18, 1974, and was assigned field duties in Wichita. O’Brien transferred to the Patrol’s Kansas Turnpike detail in 1977.

On May 24, 1978, at approximately 5 a.m., Trooper O’Brien stopped a vehicle on the Turnpike near Matfield Green (approximately 44 miles east of Wichita). What transpired immediately after the stop is uncertain, but at approximately 6 a.m., a truck driver reported that a patrol car was stopped with its lights flashing and an officer was lying in the ditch. Troopers responding to the scene found that O’Brien expired from 2 gunshot wounds to the head at close range.

Around 7:30 that morning, Trooper Charles Smith, stationed in Herington, observed a vehicle speeding north on US-77 approximately 4 miles south of Herington. Trooper Smith tried to stop the vehicle, and a pursuit ensued onto county roads. The vehicle reached a dead end, and the three occupants exited and began firing at Smith. Trooper Smith returned fire, striking one of the suspects in the leg. All three suspects then fled into a nearby wheat field.

A manhunt ensued, and all 3 suspects were apprehended that evening. Further investigation found that the 3 men were wanted in a string of armed robberies.

He was survived by his wife and unborn daughter.

The portion of United States highway 50 from its junction with K-61 southwest of the city of Hutchinson, then west to the northwestern city limits of the city of Sylvia, is hereby designated as the trooper Conroy G. O’Brien memorial highway.