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Incident
Chief Kavanaugh was shot and killed while he and another officer were serving a warrant on a man who had been terrorizing his neighbors during a drunk rampage. As Chief Kavanaugh entered the man's cabin he saw the man standing there with a shotgun. He ran from the cabin and was approximately 100 yards away when the man fired two shots, striking him in the back. Chief Kavanaugh succumbed to his wounds approximately 16 hours later. The suspect was shot and killed by the other officer on the scene. Chief Kavanaugh had been with the agency for eight months.
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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.
Chief of Police Kavanaugh served with the Anchorage Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Anchorage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Kavanaugh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Anchorage Police Department has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry 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 1924, 1 officer at Anchorage Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 1 officer in AK was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 43. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Anchorage Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 43; the middle age was 39. Harry had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Harry was 43. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. Harry had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Harry was 43. 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. Harry had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 22.2% of these deaths at Anchorage Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 33.3%.
January holds 17.1% of these deaths in AK, more than any other month. Thursdays: 25.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Anchorage Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Anchorage Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
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John J. Sturgus
Feb 20, 1921
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Harry C. Kavanaugh Jan 3, 1924
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Benjamin Franklin Strong
Jan 4, 1968
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William G. Pfalmer, Jr.
Dec 26, 1970
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Johnathan Paul Flora
Sep 8, 1975
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Harry Edward Kier
Oct 28, 1980
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Harry Biddington Hanson, Jr.
Jul 17, 1986
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Louie Gordon Mizelle
Jun 6, 1989
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Dan Richard Seely
Oct 26, 1996
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Justin Todd Wollam
Jul 9, 2001
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Anchorage Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
