11/17/1949 – 8/24/2026
Edmond, OK
Vincent Paul O’Neill was born November 17, 1949, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, son of Warren Vincent and Mary Ann (Korhova) O’Neill. His family moved to New Jersey when he was still young. He had a difficult home life, and in 1958, went to live at St. Michael’s Home for Boys in Hopewell, NJ. Sister Mary Fink took him under her wing. Vince loved her dearly. Vince would often say St. Michael’s saved his life and it was where he first became involved in athletics.
He remained at St. Michael’s until 1963, returning to Edison, NJ where he attended public school. In 1964, his family moved to North Plainfield, NJ, where Vince attended high school. He was a super star athlete, excelling in football as a running back, and in track, setting numerous records. He was also an outstanding artist. His area of concentration focused on nature and wildlife. His technique was true to life, and reflected every detail. Vince’s talent stunned his classmates, friends and family, and he was selected Class Artist in 1968.
During his senior year, he was recruited by over 130 colleges and universities. He chose to attend the University of Kansas on a full-ride football scholarship, where once again he made his mark. Vince ran a 4.3 40-yard dash and had a legendary 96-yard kick-off touchdown return against Nebraska in 1970. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1973, he played pre-season ball as a running back behind O.J. Simpson, until released due to injuries.
Vince returned to Lawrence, Kansas, where while working an interim job, he met his future wife, Jan, whom he married August 30th, 1974. Vince had always wanted to be a law enforcement officer. His life-long dream came to fruition when he joined the Lawrence, KS Police Department, commissioned October 4th, 1975. He was a dedicated officer and gifted instructor, taking multiple training courses on his own. Vince was also Staff Instructor for LKPD. He trained thousands of officers in the United States creating such a reputation that officers from all over the world travelled here to learn from him. He was an international instructor for Monadnock, International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), National Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC), and American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET), along with many other organizations.
In 1991, Vince was offered a job with the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) as Defensive Tactics Coordinator. He gladly accepted, as he loved teaching and educating people, as well as himself. “Qui Docet Discit” (He who teaches, learns).
When he arrived, he discovered CLEET had a Shooting Team. Past experience qualified him as an expert marksman and he joined the Team. Vince won the Oklahoma State Police Combat Championship his first year on the team in 1992, and in 1999, he was in the Governor’s Top Twenty shooters.
During his tenure with CLEET, he established himself as an outstanding teacher, mentor and colleague. Throughout his career, his programs provided officers with the skills to de-escalate as well as to always stay in the fight and survive. Additionally, everything he taught officers, he also taught his family. After 22 years of dedicated, loyal service that impacted countless people, he retired to enjoy more time with his family and friends. His personal motto was “God, Country and Family.” He was a man of great virtue, wisdom, and honor who loved and cherished his wife and children. He took seriously the vows he made to God and as such he was a role model for all he encountered. His friends were friends for life.
After retirement, he continued to teach part-time at OSU-OKC, teaching defensive driving and firearms training. Old habits die hard. But additionally, as a lover of the outdoors, it afforded him the opportunity to pick up hunting again. Deer hunting became a beloved ritual, as he counted down to opening day every year. He was able to share his love of, what to him was time in God’s country, with his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
As a life-long avid reader, Vince had a wealth of knowledge in his head, and on his many bookshelves. He was an expert in American and World History and continued to learn as much as possible, until tragically he was afflicted by dementia, which ultimately took his life.
He died on Monday, August 24th, 2026 at home with his family. He is predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Mary; and daughter, Carol Gayle. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jan (Hicks) O’Neill; sons Jeff O’Neil, Kyle O’Neill, and Daniel O’Neill and wife Kristen; and his daughter, Anne O’Neill; honorary sons Tony Clark and Greg Baker; his grandchildren Logan O’Neil, Troy O’Neill, Gabriel O’Neill, Bridget O’Neill, Cora O’Neill, Patrick O’Neill and Maggie O’Neill; his cousin Eddie Sirianni (and wife, Cheryl) and numerous cousins. He will be sorely missed by all.
If you would like to make a memorial donation in Vince’s honor, the family suggests memorials to: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund or the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
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