Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Lawrence Devine succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 15 years earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance call in which an off-duty New York City policeman had severely beaten his wife. The suspect had threatened to kill any policemen who responded to the scene. When Sergeant Devine and his partner arrived at the scene, they encountered the suspect standing in the garage. When they ordered him to come out, the man immediately opened fire, striking both officers. Sergeant Devine's partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. Sergeant Devine suffered a gunshot wound to the spine, causing him to become paralyzed from the waist down. He was able to return to limited duty but never fully recovered from the wounds and died 15 years later. Sergeant Devine had served with the Suffolk County Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-D6CE985A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Devine gave the Suffolk County Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Devine.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Lawrence Devine is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Suffolk County Police Department, 7 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Devine's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Devine Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Devine is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Devine was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Suffolk County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
