On May 24, 1978, Kansas Highway Trooper Conroy O'Brien was taken at gunpoint at 5 a.m. on the Kansas Turnpike near Matfield Green.
He was marched 60 feet from his patrol car and pistol-whipped, fracturing his skull. He was forced to kneel, taunted, and then shot twice in the back of the head.
He was not shot in a gunfight, he was murdered in the most heinous way, by execution.
His killer, Jimmy Nelms, is up for parole. Letters protesting the parole of Nelms will have an impact on the decision whether to parole him or not.
Law enforcement officers today are in more danger than ever before protecting us.
Nelms parole will, in essence, drive a stake into the heart of those who patrol our roads and protect us.
It is not possible to show more disrespect to our law enforcement than to turn this man loose on the streets, giving him another chance to turn a family's life upside-down forever.
This man up for parole was an evil monster in the manner in which he killed Trooper O'Brien.
He was on parole when he executed Trooper O'Brien. Let's not make the same mistake again.
If you want to contact the parole board to voice your opinion, there are two ways:
Write a letter with pen and paper or submit your letter of protest of parole online. Letters must be submitted by April 1.
714 SW Jackson St.
Suite 300
Topeka, KS 66603
ONLINE SUBMISSION
[email protected]
*Note: There are three underscores in the online address.
For those who take the time to send a letter to the parole board, thank you so much. Remember, if your letter ONLY says, "I ask you to not release Jimmy Nelms on parole," that is all the longer your letter needs to be. Obviously, if you want to write more content, your thoughts and opinions will be valued and make a difference.
Conroy and I grew up in Abbyville and would come to Hutchinson growing up just about every week. Hutchinson, and Kansas in general, has always had a special place in our hearts.
Kindest Regards,
Kelvin O'Brien
Brother of Trooper Conroy O'Brien
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