James O Connor Obituary, Death; – One of the individuals accused of the murder of Philadelphia Police Sergeant James O’Connor has entered a guilty plea in federal court. Hassan Elliott, who initially pleaded not guilty, altered his plea during a court session on Wednesday morning.
He, along with three other individuals, faced charges related to the killing of O’Connor in March 2020. The sergeant was fatally shot while a SWAT team executed a search warrant on the 1600 block of Bridge Street in Frankford.
Additionally, a hearing is scheduled for another suspect involved in this case on Wednesday. Sgt. O’Connor had dedicated 23 years to the police force and was a member of the SWAT unit for 15 years. At the time of his passing, he held the rank of corporal and was posthumously elevated to sergeant.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Terri, and together they raised two children: their son James, who serves as a police officer in the 6th district, and their daughter Kelsey, who is currently in the Air Force.
Five months prior to his death, O’Connor and his wife celebrated the arrival of their first granddaughter. Due to restrictions on public gatherings implemented during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, his funeral was postponed for nearly two months.
