Hugh Anthony O'Connor, formerly of West Palm Beach, Fla., and a senior special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms for 19 years, died unexpectedly July 22, 2018, at age 49.

The son of the late Hugh J. O'Connor, Jr. and Pamela M. O'Connor, he was born April 12, 1969, in Holyoke, Mass. Hugh began his career as a public servant volunteering for the Highland Mills Fire Co. while he attended Monroe-Woodbury High School in New York; he continued with the South Daytona and Volusia Co. fire services during college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Throughout his distinguished career in law enforcement, he served with the Holly Hill PD; Daytona Beach PD; U.S. Border Patrol; INS, DOJ-OIG; and then joined the ATF in 1999. He was a certified explosives specialist/bomb technician, SRT medic, certified fire investigator, National Response Team Member and a firearms instructor.
Hugh volunteered for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan for ATF as part of the Multinational Corps. Forensic lab for analyzing IEDs. Until his passing, Hugh was the ATF Certified Explosives Specialist Program Manager and Bomb Squad Commander. He earned a master’s degree in Forensic Science, Arson and Explosive Investigation at Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in explosives technology from Missouri University S&T.

Huey was a beloved son, brother and stepfather. He was an avid motorcyclist, loved boating and enjoyed flying airplanes and helicopters. Hugh is survived by his mother Pamela; siblings Bridget and Matthew; former wife Anita Williams; and two stepdaughters Samantha and Victoria.

The family will hold a private memorial service following cremation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.bombtechmemorial.org.