PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A stretch of Knights Road in Northeast Philadelphia has been renamed for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2020.
The Sgt. James O’Connor IV Memorial Highway was unveiled Friday, located between Woodhaven and Frankford avenues. His wife, Terri O’Connor, called it a touching tribute.
“The sign is beautiful,” she said. “I drive down this road every day, so it’s a beautiful memory in his honor.”
Sgt. O’Connor, a Philadelphia SWAT officer, was shot and killed on the morning of March 13, 2020, while serving a high-risk warrant. Terri O’Connor said they were one month shy of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary together.
“He was killed the day after my birthday,” she remembered. “We had a great last birthday together. He was my best friend and we did everything together. It’s really hard trying to move on from that.”
Daughter Kelsey O’Connor remembers her dad as her best friend. “He was there for everything; never missed a softball game, always on my side.”
She wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
“After everything happened, people were coming up [to me] saying that Jimmy was my best friend, Jimmy was my best friend, Jimmy was my best friend — multiple people,” said son James O’Connor V.
The siblings said they appreciate the sign in their father’s honor.
“I wish things were different, but this means a lot,” said Kelsey O’Connor. “I’m sure he’s up there loving this recognition and wondering when we’re all gonna get the drink in us.”