DOWNINGTOWN — Police from across the country united in solidarity and reverence for Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr.
A state funeral took place on March 18 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on Manor Avenue in Downingtown. A key part of the borough and major roads surround the area, including a section of Route 322, were closed to the public for the procession.
Mariel Santos, who grew up in West Chester, said: “This hits so close to home.” Her own families includes law enforcement members. “This is a senseless tragedy.” (Jen Samuel Daily Local News)
A 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, O’Connor made the ultimate sacrifice on March 8, giving his life in service to the Commonwealth, when he was gunned down during a Sunday evening traffic stop in West Goshen on March 8. The shooter then took his own life moments later. The police investigation remains ongoing.
O’Connor is survived his wife, Casey, and their daughter, Kenzie, 6.
“He worked hard building us a beautiful life,” his wife said while delivering a heartfelt and courageous eulogy before thousands of people at the parish. Pennsylvania State Police also live streamed the entire ceremony.
A schoolteacher, Casey said husband put their family’s needs above his own.
The Chester County widow said her husband would move “heaven and earth” for their daughter.
“My husband was loyal, kind, and above all a man with integrity,” Casey said.
“When we met, we had nothing to offer each other but potential,” she said. “Potential and love.”
They were married in 2014.
People depart from the funeral mass. The funeral mass was open to only immediate and extended family, loved ones. Additionally, the Pennsylvania State Police showcased a massive presence to honor Corporal Timothy O’Connor and were joined by elected officials, municipal and regional police forces across Chester County, as well as law enforcement representatives from across America. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
“The life of a law-enforcement family is one of quiet strength,” said Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Describing the fallen corporal at true hero, Gov. Josh Shapiro paid tribute to O’Connor, his family and law enforcement.
On March 9, Shapiro ordered American and Commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff to honor O’Connor. He invited all Pennsylvanians to take part in this tribute. The order was lifted following O’Connor’s interment at All Souls Cemetery in West Brandywine on March 18.
Wednesday morning, New Jersey police from the City of Newark arrive at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish in Downingtown to honor slain Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
United in blue
Law enforcement in attendance came from across America, with uniforms on display from New Jersey, New York, Maryland, California, Louisiana, Delaware, Massachusetts, Illinois, Idaho, Texas, Michigan, New Hampshire and countless others.
After the Catholic mass, there was rolling thunder that filled the borough as the procession began, featuring hundreds of law enforcement officers and state troopers as well as dignitaries and O’Connor’s cherished family and beloved friends.
As tradition, two fire trucks with giant cranes held up the American flag above the entrance way to the parish property, raised on Tuesday. The flag, which was massive in scale and shining with bright light as the sun emerged from the cloudy sky by midday. Twin Valley and Kennett fire companies had the shared honor of displaying the American flag in honor of O’Connor.
People remember. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
People across Chester County knew O’Connor. He was a mentor. A volunteer. A friend.
A.J. McCarthy, the chief of Longwood Fire Co., which is part of a regional department that includes Kennett and Po-Mar-Lin companies, paid tribute to O’Connor following the funeral service.
“Cpl. O’Connor was a friend to the fire companies in Southern Chester County, especially Longwood as his volunteer fire company is a neighboring partner and we worked together many times. We were honored to be asked to provide Kennett Fire Co Tower 24 to participate in the flag arch for his funeral mass,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said his department provided a MICU to cover the Westwood Fire Co. so they could attend the funeral as the primary emergency service agency who responded on the night O’Connor was slain.
“We will always remember the kind and dedicated Trooper Tim was for our community,” McCarthy said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Cpl. O’Connor’s family and friends.”
“This was such a tragedy to occur in Chester County,” said Chief of Police William Holdsworth of Kennett Square Police Department. He attended the funeral mass on Wednesday and procession with fellow borough law enforcement members.
“We are thankful that so many law enforcement from around the country attended to pay respects to Cpl. O’Connor’s family,” Holdsworth said.
‘We’re all Americans’
Denise Carol’s home is across the street from the parish. She’s lived in Downingtown for 24 years.
“The world is a scary enough place as it is right now,” Carol said. “To know that there are people out there who’s primary role is to protect us in reassuring.”
She said it is most important to support the O’Connor family, and law enforcement, as a community.
“This doesn’t happen in Chester County,” Carol said of O’Connor’s murder.
Mariel Santos, who grew up in West Chester, held up a “thank you” sign on Wednesday as the funeral and procession ceremonies transpired. She was the first member of the public to arrive on the scene, directly across the parish.
Police don’t get a lot of credit, she said, and are often criticized even though they do heroic work that most people don’t have the courage to perform themselves.
“This hits so close to home,” Santos said. Her own families includes law enforcement members. “This is a senseless tragedy.”
West Bradford resident John McCarter held a large American flag on display in the public viewing area, across the parish, during O’Connor’s funeral mass.
“I’m here to bring comfort, if any, to his wife and his daughter so that they know they have the support of the community and the support of fellow conservatives,” McCarter said.
West Bradford resident John McCarter holds up the American flag in the public viewing area, across the parish, during Corporal Timothy O’Connor’s funeral mass on Wednesday in Downingtown “We’re all Americans. We all want families and happiness and prosperity,” he said. “The hatred toward our protectors can’t be tolerated.” (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
“They are our last round of defense,” McCarter said. “Without the police and without law enforcement we are all on our own. And I don’t think most Americans are ready to be on their own. That’s the most important piece to recognize. We’re all Americans. We all want families and happiness and prosperity, but the hatred toward our protectors can’t be tolerated.”
According to his obituary, O’Connor Jr., was known to his friends and loved ones as Tim. Born on Aug. 1, 1985, in Chester, Delaware County, his family said he grew up as a bright and spirited individual, filled with a passion for service and an unshakable dedication to his family and community. “Tim left a legacy of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.”
He graduated from Henderson High School in West Chester in 2004. He studied at the University of Pittsburgh prior to becoming a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy with the 131st Cadet Class in 2011. He began serving as an Avondale Patrol Unit, for Troop J in London Grove, in April 2011. He was a member of the First West Chester Fire Company, “Fightin’ 51st”.
Throughout his service, he received numerous accolades. He was a member of the Troop J Vice Unit from 2016 to 2022. A year later, he was transferred to the Embreeville Patrol Unit, in West Bradford, where he was promoted to the rank of corporal. He was also a Chester County Camp Cadet Counselor.
He loved the Phillies and Eagles.
In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his mother, Maureen Dawson O’Connor and his father, Timothy O’Connor Sr.; as well as his brother, Christopher O’Connor, and sister-in-law, Brittany O’Connor; nephews Christopher O’Connor Jr. and Riley O’Connor; his sister, Morgan Cosgrove, and brother-in-law, Steven Cosgrove and his Nana, Reggie Dawson.
Maureen Doyle’s son, Cole, is a state police trooper who served under O’Connor in West Bradford. She traveled from her home off the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey to join the public in a united display outside the parish to support law enforcement and the O’Connor family.
“You pray every day for your son, or daughter, in law enforcement,” she said.
“These men and women of law enforcement, they’re human beings. They have husbands and wives and grandparents and daughters and sons. They’re human beings that are just trying to find their passion to make our world safer. Respect that.”
End of Watch
March 8, just before 8:30 p.m., O’Connor dispatched in that he was pulling over a vehicle that was driving erratically near Compass and Michael roads in West Caln.
He was shot as approached the vehicle. The driver then got out of the car, walked a short distance away, and shot and killed himself with a pistol, the acting state police commissioner added.
The gunman has been identified as Jesse Nathan Elks, 32, of Honey Brook.
In lieu of flowers, donations in O’Connor’s honor can be sent to the Survivor Fund via mail to PSTA Building, C/O Survivor Fund 3625 Vartan Way Harrisburg, PA 17110. First, write the check out to the Survivor Fund and in the memo, cite O’Connor.
“Today, I had the honor of attending Corporal Timothy O’Connor’s funeral — a beautiful and fitting tribute to a true hero,” said Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz.
“Law enforcement, first responders, and leaders from across the country came together in support of his family and in recognition of his service,” she said. “Even those who never knew him felt the weight of this loss. It was a powerful reminder of the unity and respect that define our community in times of sorrow.”
A state funeral with high honors pays tribute to Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr., and his family, at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on Manor Avenue in Downingtown on March 18. A resident of Chester County, O’Connor was murdered in-the-line of duty during a traffic stop in West Goshen, near Honey Brook, on March 8. He is survived his wife and their daughter, 6. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
A state funeral with high honors pays tribute to Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr., and his family, at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on Manor Avenue in Downingtown on March 18. A resident of Chester County, O’Connor was murdered in-the-line of duty during a traffic stop in West Goshen, near Honey Brook, on March 8. He is survived his wife and their daughter, 6. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
A state funeral with high honors pays tribute to Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr., and his family, at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on Manor Avenue in Downingtown on March 18. A resident of Chester County, O’Connor was murdered in-the-line of duty during a traffic stop in West Goshen, near Honey Brook, on March 8. He is survived his wife and their daughter, 6. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
A state funeral with high honors pays tribute to Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr., and his family, at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on Manor Avenue in Downingtown on March 18. A resident of Chester County, O’Connor was murdered in-the-line of duty during a traffic stop in West Goshen, near Honey Brook, on March 8. He is survived his wife and their daughter, 6. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
The procession is ready to begin. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)
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A state funeral with high honors pays tribute to Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor Jr., and his family, at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Parish on Manor Avenue in Downingtown on March 18. A resident of Chester County, O’Connor was murdered in-the-line of duty during a traffic stop in West Goshen, near Honey Brook, on March 8. He is survived his wife and their daughter, 6. (Jen Samuel — Daily Local News)