Michael J. Kavanagh
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael J. Kavanagh

Felonious
End of Watch May 29, 1977
Age 37
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Badge 1300
The Vigil Panel 118 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael Kavanagh was struck and killed by a vehicle fleeing officers on the Southern State Parkway. The subject was traveling east in the westbound lanes of the Southern State Parkway, attempting to elude police. Patrolman Kavanagh was diverting traffic at Newbridge Road when the suspect vehicle struck him. Patrolman Kavanagh had served with the Nassau County Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his wife and three children. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor and Purple Heart for his actions.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-BFF95D17
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.
Patrolman Kavanagh gave the Nassau County Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mineola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kavanagh.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Mineola, Nassau County, NY
Platform Identity ncpd.nassau.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 29, 1977
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 37
Badge Number 1300
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

Patrolman Michael J. Kavanagh 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 Nassau County Police Department, 12 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.

Nassau County Police Department
12
of 51 officers
23.5% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. Kavanagh's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Michael J. Kavanagh Compares

Age at Death
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
10
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. Kavanagh is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. Kavanagh was killed by automobile.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location