Matthew A. Kernan

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Illness

End of Watch February 9, 1920

Age 32

Tour of Duty 10 yrs 6 mo

The Vigil Panel 38 ›

Gender Male

His Life Service The Sacrifice Department 377

His Life

Police Officer Matthew Kernan died as a result of developing a cold while directing traffic at Lehigh Avenue and Broad Street in Philadelphia.

He refused to leave his assignment despite a snowstorm. When he became ill, he was transported to Women's Homeopathic Hospital, where he died four days later.

Officer Kernan served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 and a half years and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and two stepchildren. He was assigned to the 31st Police Station.

Survivors

Officer Kernan served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 and a half years and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and two stepchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-B8CD0A8B
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Matthew. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Kernan gave the Philadelphia Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kernan.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 9, 1920

Tour of Duty 10 yrs 6 mo

Age 32

Gender Male

His Life Details

Cause Illness

Cause Detail Duty related illness

Police Officer Matthew A. Kernan is one of 3,038 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.3% of all 32,588 officers honored here.

In PA, 121 of 1,261 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 9.6% of this state's fallen. That is 0.3 percentage points above the national rate of 9.3%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 66 of 378 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 17.5% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

of 378 officers

17.5% Illness

PA — Statewide

121

of 1,261 officers

9.6% Illness

Nationwide

3,038

of 32,588 officers

9.3% Illness