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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- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nassau County Police Department has lost 51 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 1 officer at Nassau County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 13 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
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.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 37. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Nassau County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 36.3; the middle age was 32. Michael had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Michael was 37. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
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.
Michael was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths at Nassau County Police Department; December holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 25%.
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 23.5% of all 51 deaths at Nassau County Police Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.5% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Nassau County Police Department has 51 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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John A. Hahn
Sep 24, 1925
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John P. Dowd
Apr 30, 1929
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Fred S. Hirsch
May 6, 1931
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Alvin J. Borgwardt
Feb 25, 1932
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Milton E. Verity
Feb 25, 1932
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John Davis Kennedy
Jul 12, 1932
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Lawrence E. Duncan
Oct 12, 1935
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Arthur J. Klepper
Dec 3, 1937
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Alexander N. Benedict
Feb 3, 1939
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Charles H. Shaw
Sep 6, 1940
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David J. Murphy
Sep 9, 1942
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John E. West
Feb 4, 1946
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Adam Yulch
Jul 2, 1950
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William R. Sellers
May 19, 1954
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Joseph Sternberg
Aug 16, 1954
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Alfred J. Del Giorno
Dec 7, 1956
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John F. Daly
Oct 28, 1957
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Louis A. De Francesco
Nov 28, 1957
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Robert H. Pickwick
Aug 6, 1960
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Joseph L. Coote
Mar 22, 1961
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William Trofemuk
May 14, 1961
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Kathleen M. Reilly
Dec 25, 1967
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Richard B. Rose
Dec 29, 1971
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Matthew Francis Giglio
Dec 16, 1975
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George R. Kempen
Nov 14, 1976
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Michael J. Kavanagh
May 29, 1977
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Robert J. Harris
May 17, 1978
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Daniel J. Greer
Dec 16, 1979
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Gary R. Farley
Mar 7, 1993
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Peter Francis Curran
Apr 12, 2006
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Michael J. Califano
Feb 5, 2011
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Geoffrey J. Breitkopf
Mar 12, 2011
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Charles Dennis Cole, Jr.
Aug 14, 2011
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Robert D. Negri, Jr.
Sep 28, 2011
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Joseph Paul Olivieri, Jr.
Oct 18, 2012
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Arthur Lopez
Oct 23, 2012
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Peter Martino
Feb 5, 2014
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Michael J. Kearns
Jun 8, 2014
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Paul J. McCabe
Sep 25, 2015
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Brian R. Abbondandelo
Jul 28, 2016
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Michael P. Shea
Apr 1, 2017
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Steven Clifford
May 23, 2017
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James V. Quinn
Sep 18, 2017
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Billy Erdmann
Oct 7, 2019
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Erick W. Contreras
Jan 15, 2021
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Matthew Anthony Perlungher
Aug 4, 2021
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Charles C. Vroom
Sep 12, 2021
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Hector M. Nunez
Dec 8, 2021
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Christopher A. Cizmarik
Dec 27, 2023
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Kevin Canavan
Jun 30, 2024
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Philip J. Schifini
Nov 27, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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