Oxnard— December 2nd marks the 32nd anniversary of the death of Detective James E. O’Brien. Jim was tragically shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit following a shooting rampage at the EDD office in Oxnard.
JIM, or “OB” as he was widely known, was a well-respected and dedicated officer who had a reputation as a “cop’s cop.” You don’t have to look any further than the day of his death to realize his dedication to the City of Oxnard and our profession.
When the call went out of a shooting incident at the EDD office, Jim responded without hesitation. What makes his response unique is that he was on his day off. Jim had stopped by the station to take care of a few things and, without regard for his own safety, immediately responded.
Jim was well-known for his abilities as a “street cop.” He was assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau, where he investigated gang- and tagger-related graffiti crimes. Not only was Jim respected by his fellow officers, but he also gained the respect of those he investigated and arrested. He was an accomplished athlete who excelled at karate and boxing, and frequently brought home gold medals as…
