On April 5, 1978 at about 11:00 am, Deputy Terry O'Connell was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Highway 30 near Cedar Hill. As Deputy O'Connell was filling out the speeding ticket the motorist shot him and drove away. The partially filled out speeding ticket included only the time and speeding offense. The driver of the vehicle suddenly produced a handgun and shot him in the bullet resistant vest and in the head. The suspect was apprehended after a long manhunt and sentenced to life in prison.

Deputy O'Connell had served in law enforcement for 10 years. He joined the sheriff's department in December and had previously served with the Fenton Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two children.