A ceremony was held last Friday to unveil signs designating Knights Road as Sgt. James O’Connor IV Memorial Highway.
The designation of O’Connor Memorial Highway runs from Frankford Avenue to Woodhaven Road.
State Rep. Ed Neilson introduced the bill that became law back in 2020, a few months after O’Connor was killed. Then-Sen. John Sabatina Jr. helped it pass the Senate.
Neilson and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who had been on the job less than five weeks when O’Connor was killed, spoke at the ceremony.
The Rev. James MacNew, chaplain for the Michael the Archangel Ministry, offered prayer and a benediction.
The Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums performed Amazing Grace.
O’Connor’s family and a large contingent from the police department attended the ceremony, held on the 11000 block of Knights Road. Others in attendance included John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, and Reps. Martina White and Pat Gallagher.
O’Connor, a SWAT corporal and Millbrook resident, was shot to death on March 13, 2020, as he was serving a fugitive murder arrest warrant at 1688 Bridge St. in Frankford. That fugitive, Hassan Elliott, is charged in O’Connor’s killing and faces a possible death sentence if convicted. Five others face charges.
O’Connor was posthumously promoted to sergeant. ••
