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Incident
Sergeant Lawrence Devine succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 15 years earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance call in which an off-duty New York City policeman had severely beaten his wife. The suspect had threatened to kill any policemen who responded to the scene. When Sergeant Devine and his partner arrived at the scene, they encountered the suspect standing in the garage. When they ordered him to come out, the man immediately opened fire, striking both officers. Sergeant Devine's partner was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. Sergeant Devine suffered a gunshot wound to the spine, causing him to become paralyzed from the waist down. He was able to return to limited duty but never fully recovered from the wounds and died 15 years later. Sergeant Devine had served with the Suffolk County Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Devine gave the Suffolk County Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Devine.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Suffolk County Police Department has lost 27 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Lawrence is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 1 officer at Suffolk County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 8 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lawrence was 42. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Suffolk County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 43.5; the middle age was 41. Lawrence had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Lawrence was 42. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Lawrence had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Lawrence was 42. 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. Lawrence had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lawrence was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lawrence had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 28.6% of these deaths at Suffolk County Police Department; February holds the most, 28.6%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Saturdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25.9% of all 27 deaths at Suffolk County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Suffolk County Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Lawrence among them.
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John J. Nolan
Apr 17, 1960
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Vincent DeVivo
Oct 28, 1962
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Carmelo A. Cattano
May 30, 1963
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George McMullen
Apr 24, 1969
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George A. Frees
Apr 6, 1971
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Albert A. Willetts
Jun 3, 1971
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Frank D. Cataldo
Nov 3, 1971
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William DeRosa
Jan 31, 1976
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Jack Burkhardt, Sr.
Mar 15, 1977
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Ralph Sorli
Aug 14, 1977
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Carmine Michael Macchia
Jun 15, 1978
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Lawrence Devine
Aug 22, 1981
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Dennis John Wustenhoff
Feb 15, 1990
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John Jantzen
Apr 21, 1991
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James Hutchens
Jul 2, 1992
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Henry J. Stewart
Jul 11, 1992
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John J. Venus
Nov 20, 1994
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Timothy J. Henck
Aug 6, 1995
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Edwin Hernandez
Jul 27, 2004
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Glen L. Ciano
Feb 22, 2009
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Craig L. Capolino
Jan 30, 2013
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James Thomas Farrell
Dec 1, 2017
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Dennis Wallace Reichardt
Oct 4, 2018
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Stephen John Mullen
Dec 7, 2018
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Robert John Van Zeyl
Jan 20, 2021
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Thomas Patrick Compitello
Dec 16, 2022
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Robert John Kirwan
Sep 23, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
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