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

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Stewardship
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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

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Nassau County Police Department has 51 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Michael J. Kavanagh

Nassau County Police Department · End of Watch May 29, 1977

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E

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