Mo. officer shot in head by handcuffed suspect undergoes another surgery

Police said Officer Ryan O’Connor was “still very critical” and was undergoing another surgery to try and save his life

December 08, 2017 10:46 AM

Arnold Police investigate the scene of a shooting of one of their own officers on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in the parking lot of the Arnold Police Station in Arnold, Mo.

By Elizabeth Donald
Belleville News-Democrat

ARNOLD, Mo. — The Arnold, Missouri police officer shot earlier this week was undergoing another surgery Thursday to try to save his life, according to police.

Officer Ryan O’Connor, 44, was shot in the back of the head while sitting in a police vehicle Tuesday with a handcuffed burglary suspect in the back. Arnold police said the suspect, Chad Klahs, had been searched, but he had a second gun they failed to find.

Klahs died of a gunshot to the head that police said may have been self-inflicted.

The Arnold Police Department posted Thursday afternoon that O’Connor was “still very critical” and was undergoing another surgery in an attempt to save his life.

“We are praying,” the release stated. “We would like for you do to so as well.”

A GoFundMe account was set up for O’Connor’s family by Shield of Hope, a St. Louis nonprofit. It had raised $25,950 by 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The statement also said in-person donations can be sent to Fortune Bank, 3494 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, MO 63010. For more information on that account, call the bank at 636-464-9003.

St. Louis County police said these are the only two approved fundraisers for the O’Connor family.