Thomas J. Kennedy
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas J. Kennedy

Orangetown Police Department — Orangeburg, NY
Felonious
End of Watch August 2, 1973
Age 26
Tour of Duty 5 mo
Badge 68
The Vigil Panel 112 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Kennedy and Patrolman Michael Reedy were stuck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at an accident scene on Route 303 near the intersection with Leber Road. The officers and other emergency personnel were at the scene of a serious crash on State Rt. 303 in the Hamlet of Blauvelt. The accident scene was closed off and well lit by flares and emergency lights of emergency vehicles. A drunk driver coming north at a high rate of speed passed the flares, drove over the fire hoses and struck both officers, who were standing together in the roadway. His speed was estimated to be 80 mph. The 24-year-old subject was convicted of two counts of criminally negligent homicide and DWI and sentenced to two four year terms to be served concurrently. He was paroled in 1977. Patrolman Kennedy had served with the Orangetown Police Department for only six months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-CE3E5D15
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.
Patrolman Kennedy served with the Orangetown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Orangeburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kennedy.

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

Agency

Location Orangeburg, NY
Platform Identity opd.rockland.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 2, 1973
Tour of Duty 5 mo
Age 26
Badge Number 68
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Paroled in 1977

Patrolman Thomas J. Kennedy 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 Orangetown Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Orangetown Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Thomas J. Kennedy Compares

Age at End of Watch
26
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1977

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Kennedy is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Kennedy was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Orangetown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.