Martin O'Connor, police leader in Nassau and Suffolk, LIU professor, dies at 87

Martin L. O’Connor spent more than three decades in law enforcement, rising through the ranks to become deputy commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department, where he helped shape policing policies.

O’Connor, of Oyster Bay, later taught criminal justice at Long Island University and served as Mill Neck village justice. He died Oct. 23 of end-stage kidney failure at age 87, his daughter said.

Despite the authority he held throughout his career, his daughter said, he never believed his position placed him above the law.

After a young officer ticketed him for parking in front of a fire hydrant, police later came to his house to apologize, his daughter, Erin O’Connor, of Oyster Bay, recalled.

"No, I was wrong. You should give me that ticket. I’m not above the law. I should be treated as everybody else," he told them, according to his daughter.

Rising through the ranks

Born May 6, 1939, in the Bronx, O’Connor grew up in Maspeth, Queens. His future wife, Veronica "Ronnie" O’Connor, encouraged him to pursue policing while he worked at a bowling alley, his daughter said.

He joined Nassau police in 1960 and earned a Hofstra law degree in 1973 while working days and attending night classes. O’Connor helped establish the department’s Legal Bureau, became its first commanding officer and rose to deputy commissioner.

In 1973, O’Connor helped develop written policies governing Nassau police officers’ use of force and deadly force, including restrictions on warning shots and firing at or from moving vehicles.

Nassau police colleague Warren Ness recalled O’Connor’s willingness to change procedures.

"They weren’t afraid to make changes in how things were being done and to try new things," Ness said.

In 1988, he became Suffolk’s first deputy police commissioner, helping implement a policy requiring arrests in certain domestic violence cases rather than mediation. A federal appeals court later cited Suffolk County figures suggesting domestic violence arrests increased roughly fivefold between 1986 and 1991.

From policing to teaching

O’Connor brought his police and legal experience to LIU’s Post campus in 1992, teaching criminal justice for 27 years. Harvey Kushner, the department chairman who hired him, said his experience made him a valuable addition to the faculty.

"Marty knew all the substance he was teaching because he experienced that," Kushner said. "I think Martin found it rewarding, especially if he could influence individuals to go into law enforcement."

Beyond the classroom, Kushner relied on O’Connor to represent the program at speaking engagements when he was unavailable.

"You could always count on him to be there when you needed something done," Kushner said.

O’Connor served for 28 years as Mill Neck village justice, hearing traffic cases and local disputes. Mill Neck Mayor Peter Quick recalled how O’Connor handled cases in the courtroom.

"There was probably no one who went through a court docket as quickly and as efficiently as Marty O’Connor did," Quick said.

But speed did not come at the expense of treating people equally. "It didn’t matter who came before Marty in the courtroom," Quick said. "Everybody was treated fairly and respectfully by Marty."

A welcoming home

Despite his busy work schedule, O’Connor made time to attend his daughter’s plays, concerts and games whenever possible.

The Mill Neck home he and Ronnie bought in 1973 became a hub for Erin’s friends, who affectionately called them "Mama O" and "Papa O."

"If they ever needed anything, those are the people that, you know, they could go to," Erin O’Connor recalled. Some even stopped by with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts.

The son of Catherine and Jeremiah O’Connor, immigrants from County Cork, Ireland, he took great pride in his Irish heritage, returning to Ireland frequently and even convincing Irish singer Andy Cooney to perform at Erin’s wedding. A devout Catholic, O’Connor asked the Rev. John Worthley, a longtime friend, to celebrate his funeral Mass.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 64 years, Veronica "Ronnie" O’Connor, of Oyster Bay; daughter Erin O’Connor and son-in-law Donal O’Connor, of Oyster Bay; grandchildren Dennis and Catherine; sister Ann Steidle, of East Meadow; and brother John O’Connor and his wife, Barbara, of Southington, Connecticut. He was predeceased by his brothers Daniel and Jerome O’Connor.

Visitation is Thursday, 4-7 p.m., at Oyster Bay Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will b celebrated on Friday, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Dominic Chapel in Oyster Bay.