Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Harry Cantave was stabbed to death on a subway train in Brooklyn while attempting to stop two juveniles who had just robbed two transit workers and were then attempting to rob him at the Church Avenue Station. He grabbed one of the suspects in a headlock but the second man pulled a 12-inch butcher knife and stabbed him 17 times in the chest and back. Officer Cantave was transported to Kings County Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds two hours later. Witnesses who tried to stop the attack were also stabbed. On August 23, 1991, two teenagers, 16 and 18, pleaded guilty to Officer Cantave's murder. The 18-year-old was convicted of second degree murder, sentenced to life, and paroled on October 22, 2010. The 16-year-old, also sentenced to life, was paroled on February 9, 2004. Officer Cantave had served with the New York City Health and Hospital Police Department for three years and was assigned to the Cumberland Neighborhood Family Care Center in Brooklyn.
Survivors
He is survived by wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-B056AB54- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Cantave gave the New York City Health and Hospitals Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Cantave.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Harry Cantave is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Health and Hospitals Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry Cantave's cause is highlighted.
How Harry Cantave Compares
Offender Outcome
off duty
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry Cantave is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry Cantave was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from New York City Health and Hospitals Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
