John O’Keefe wasn’t just a Boston police officer; he was a son, a brother, and, most importantly, a guardian who stepped up when his family needed him most. His story is deeply intertwined with the lives of his parents, his niece, and his nephew, who became the center of his world after tragedy struck. The bonds he shared with them reveal a man who was far more than the headlines about his tragic death in 2022. Let’s dive into the heart of the O’Keefe family, the relationships that shaped John, and the legacy he left behind.
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The Backbone: John’s Parents and Early Life
John J. O’Keefe III, affectionately known as “JJ” or “Johnny,” grew up in Braintree, Massachusetts, in a tight-knit household that valued loyalty and service. His parents raised him and his brother, Paul O’Keefe, with the kind of grit and compassion that would later define his career in the Boston Police Department and his role as a guardian. While details about his father, John O’Keefe II, and mother, Margaret “Peg” (Peggy) O’Keefe, are scarce in public records, it’s clear they instilled in him the values that led him to Northeastern University and later to a master’s degree in criminal justice from UMass Lowell. These weren’t just career moves; they were reflections of a family that believed in hard work and community.
John’s parents likely watched with pride as he built a 16-year career with the Boston Police Department, a job that demanded courage and integrity. But the real test of his character came later, when family tragedy forced him into a role he never expected: becoming a father figure to his niece and nephew, Kayley and Patrick Furbush.
The Kids Who Stole His Heart: Niece and Nephew
In 2013, John O’Keefe’s sister Kristen died of a brain tumor. Just months later, her husband passed away from a heart attack, leaving their two children—a teenage niece and a younger nephew—orphaned. Without hesitation, John became their legal guardian, moving them into his home in Canton, Massachusetts. Overnight, his life shifted from bachelorhood to packed lunches, school events, and bedtime routines. Friends described him as fiercely protective, the kind of uncle who’d drop everything for a basketball game or a school play.
His niece, who testified during Karen Read’s trial, painted a vivid picture of their life together. She described a man who was patient and loving, even as he navigated the challenges of raising two grieving kids. She recalled how John would check on her and her brother at night, making sure they were okay after losing their parents. But their household wasn’t without drama, especially when John’s girlfriend, Karen Read, entered the picture. The niece testified that while Read was initially warm and involved (planning birthday scavenger hunts, doing their hair, and attending games), tensions grew over time. By early 2022, arguments between John and Read became frequent, and the niece often found herself caught in the middle.
Detail regarding the testimony of John O’Keefe’s niece yesterday is reported below. His niece indicated the relationship between Karen Read and John was not going well.
This speaks to motive. While motive is not an element of the crime, the prosecution will want to show to the… pic.twitter.com/9VPMrZIi4L
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) May 15, 2025
The night John died, his niece was home alone, charging her phone in his room as usual. When Read woke her at 4:30 a.m., frantic because John hadn’t come home, the teen’s world shattered all over again. She later recalled Read’s hysterical questions: “Could I have done something? Could he have been hit by a plow?”—words that would haunt the trial. But for the niece, the real pain was the loss of the man who’d been her rock. In the aftermath, she and her brother were left to grieve not just their parents, but the uncle who’d given them a second chance at family.
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A Family’s Unbreakable Bond
John O’Keefe’s story isn’t just about how he died; it’s about how he lived. His mom and dad raised a man who put loved ones first, even when it meant sacrificing his own freedom. His niece and nephew lost not just a guardian, but the person who’d shown them unconditional love in their darkest moments. And while the trial focused on blame and conspiracy theories, the O’Keefe family’s quiet strength spoke volumes.
Today, his niece and nephew carry his legacy forward. They’re a reminder that it’s not always about blood, it’s about who shows up when the world falls apart. And John? He showed up. Every single day.
