Incident
Patrolman McGovern was killed by a trolley car while trying to get to shelter during a freak dust storm.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman McGovern gave the New Haven Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McGovern.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Haven Police Department has lost 23 officers; 13 of them lost to accidents.
Patrick is one of 73 officers lost to accidents in CT, 43.2% of the 169 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Patrick is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 1 officer at New Haven Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1901, 1 officer in CT was lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 4.
In 1901, 18 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 121st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1901, 25 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 122nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Patrick was 53. Of the 7 lost to accidents at New Haven Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 49.5; the middle age was 43. Patrick had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Patrick was 53. Of the 63 lost to accidents in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 39. Patrick had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Patrick was 53. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Patrick had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Patrick was 53. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Patrick had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 15.4% of these deaths at New Haven Police Department; October holds the most, 30.8%. Tuesdays: 15.4%.
July holds 19.2% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 9.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 56.5% of all 23 deaths at New Haven Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 43.2% of all 169 deaths in CT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Haven Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Patrick among them.
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Thomas Cummins Nov 24, 1855
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Charles A. Hooper Nov 4, 1892
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Patrick McGovern Jul 2, 1901
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Hugh McKeon Jul 31, 1901
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Bennett W. Dorman Nov 1, 1915
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Joseph T. Robbins Jun 25, 1916
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John E. Durkin Nov 2, 1918
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Patrick F. Cannon Mar 5, 1919
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Patrick J. Shea Oct 19, 1919
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Lawrence Murphy
Jul 23, 1924
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James Alexander Oct 18, 1927
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Joseph P. Sullivan Oct 23, 1932
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Walter Koella
Mar 16, 1935
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Edward H. Wendland May 21, 1938
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Daniel T. O'Connell Aug 15, 1938
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Ralph Palma Jun 13, 1954
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Louis P. Rienzo
Oct 11, 1967
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Frank T. Hawley
Jan 31, 1970
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Daniel Patrick Picagli
Oct 21, 2006
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Robert Fumiatti
Jan 10, 2007
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Dario Scott Aponte
Sep 10, 2008
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Andrew F. Faggio
Jan 11, 2012
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Diane Gonzalez
Jan 10, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
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