On 17th April 1887, Constables O'Connell and Constable Franklin were patrolling Cantonment Road, Fremantle, Western Australia, when they noticed a well-known suspect, Thomas Hughes, acting suspiciously.

On being challenged, Hughes ran to a vacant block and endeavoured to escape through a hole in the fence, still being chased by the Constables.  

Constable Franklin grabbed Hughes' leg, but Hughes turned and fired a revolver, striking Constable O'Connell in the shoulder. The large calibre bullet also punctured both his lungs, and died three days later on 20th April 1887, aged 18 years.

Constable O'Connell was given a Police funeral with full honours.