Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

IT WAS MY PRIVLEDGE TO BE ASSIGNED TO THE SAME SQUAD, SQD 14 IN THE FIRST PCT. WITH MIKE KAVANAUGH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. MIKE WAS A COP'S COP WHO WAS AN OLD SCHOOL VETERAN, LOOKED UP TO AND INFLUENCED POSITIVELY BY THE NEW COPS HE WILLINGLY HELPED ALONG THE WAY. HE WAS INTENTIONALLY RUN DOWN BY A COWARD WHO WAS BEING PERSUED BY THE FIFTH PCT., WHO WAS FLEEING E/B IN THE W/B LANE OF THE SOUTHERN STATE PKWY. MIKE WAS HEROICALLY ATTEMPTING TO WARN W/B MOTORISTS TO MOVE OVER TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED HEAD- ON COLLISION. AN OFF DUTY NYPD WITNESS OBSERVED THE MURDERER LEAVE THE TRAVEL PORTION OF THE ROADWAY, AND INTENTIONALLY GO ONTO THE SHOULDER AND STRIKE PO KAVANAUGH, WHO HAD IS BACK TURNED AS HE FRANTICALLY WAS WAVING THE CARS TO MOVE OVER. RIP MIKE, YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US AND LEFT A TREMENDUS VOID.

Lt. James Bresnahan
NCPD

May 31, 2023

God Bless all our members of Nassau County who died in the performance of their duties. May they rest in peace! Godspeed to all.....

Special thanks to Joe Failla for always doing the right thing for our our members.

Leonard H. Miller Detective retired
Detective, Vice Squad, NCPD

May 29, 2022

Friend as a high school years in East Meadow My Parents also knew and had a special relationship at the age of 64 was thinking of Mike and a smile came to my face Good Man was trying to save lives when his was ended much too soon

Steven Green
Friend

October 14, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Kavanagh.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 4, 2019

You are still "always in our thoughts" Mike; Rest in peace "Brother"...

D/Lieut. R. Shaffer, (Ret)
PDCN

May 29, 2019

I met Mike in 1967 at his relieving point in East Meadow on Hempstead Tpke. where I was employed at the age of 18.He said that I should take the police entrance exam which I did.After serving in the US Army I joined the Police Dept. on 09/24/1971. I got to work a few days with Mike and he instilled many policing ideas in my memory. I will always be grateful and will never forget him . James R.Petty -Retired Detective NCPD

james r petty
Nassau County Police Dept.

May 28, 2018

When I was a cadet and a rookie cop in the First I got to know Mike and learned from him what "post integrity", "owning your post" and taking care of the people that lived there with empathy and compassion truly meant. We were all devastated by his killing.

COD Tony Rocco (ret.)
NCPD

May 29, 2017

Mike was a great guy, he patrolled post 106 where I lived. We spoke on many occasions when I filled in on the adjoining post. I think of him often.

D/Sgt. A. Passaretti
NCPD Retired

May 29, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 29, 2015

We will never forget the day we lost our beloved brother-in-law who gave his life to protect others.There is a permanent hole in our hearts and compassion for his children who did not know the kindness and wisdom of their Father. He was a remarkable man and very loved by those who were privileged to know him.

George and Jacqueline Kurrass
Brother and Sister-in-law

May 29, 2015

It will soon be your 38th anniversary. It's so great to hear stories from the "kids" of East Meadow while my father patrolled there...even after all this time you are still remembered. Thank you everyone for posting different stories.

Jane Kavanagh Wood
Daughter

March 29, 2015

I was a kid growing up in east meadow and had my share of run ins with officer kavanagh at new bridge school climbing on the roof running away only to come home and find him waiting for me parked on the corner!! Officer mike would just say don't b.s. Me and we will forget about it depending on what we did!! When he Patrolled the school yard we all looked for car 106 that was his car..But when he passed a little of east meadow did too! I will never forget Officer mike he was one of a kind there should be more like him!!! Rest in peace mike you are truly missed by all the kids that knew you!!!

Bobby p.
Old friend

March 22, 2015

Uncle Mike I was only 7 when you were taken much too soon. Aunt Janie and mom were like sisters. I can remember all the get togethers we shared as a family. I can't believe that you have all been reunited once again and now, thanks to the Internet, so have Janie and I. You are still missed all these years later

Kelly Knutsen Krumme
Family

May 28, 2014

It seems like only yesterday that I was being told you were not coming home....I remember that there were so many policemen in the house. I was so hoping it wasn't true. 36 years has passed by, but the memory seems like yesterday. I have read letters that people wrote recently afterwards...I gave me an insight of what kind of man you were in life. I only wished that I had more time with you. Love you...Daddy...May you rest in eternal peace.

Jane Kavanagh Wood
Daughter

May 29, 2013

Your service to the citizens of Nassau County and of all New York will always be remembered. We are forever in your debt. You are a True American Hero. Rest in Peace.

PO Michael Collins
Nassau County PD (ret)

May 29, 2013

God Bless you, Mike. You were a great cop, and friend, taken in you prime, for doing your duty. Your family should be very proud of you. It was a privilege to serve with you.

Sergeant Paul R. Englert
NCPD Ret.

May 29, 2013

I was a teenager at the time. This man was the Cop everyone should be as the greatest example of the model officer. He knew my family. He treated you with respect and good cheer. My mother made a crotched blanket for his child. We were devasted that he was taken away. The way he went from this life was because he cared more for others. I write this with a tear in my eye. John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. I am privilege to have know him. May you be singing with the angels!

John Schmidt
Friend

July 24, 2012

We will always remember you Michael and what a great policeman, husband and father you were. You died saving others and we will never forget at your funeral all of the young people crying and saluting you because you definitely was the "good cop" and treated with respect as if they were your own. I am sure you also inspired some of them to join the forces or army because of you being an inspiration to them. You will always be remembered Love Diane & Dan Kavanagh

Diane & daniel kavanagh - relatives
Brother and sister-in-law

May 30, 2012

35 Years ago today Nassau County lost a fine and brave Police Officer.PO Kavanagh died protecting the citizens of Nassau County. In 2001 a 41 foot Kvichak Marine Patrol Vessel was named in his honor . Tonight the men assigned to Marine 6 said a prayer for Michael before they departed for night time patrol. Rest in peace ,our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

NCPD Marine 6 "THE MICHAEL J. KAVANAGH"
NCPD MARINE BUREAU

May 29, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 29, 2012

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 21, 2012

Mike you showed me as a young rookie how to become a street cop. We were together when the call was dispatched and everything occurred so quickly. I stayed in RMP 106 for 25 years in your memory. I'm retired for years now but will never forget our time we spend together.

Ret. PO Steve Sullivan
Ret. NCPD

April 4, 2012

God Bless You. May you rest in peace.
I grew up in levittown and I think Patrolman Kavanaugh was my friends uncle. My friends name is Peter John Kavanaugh. I lost touch with my friend when we where 18 and I am having a hard time finding him. We grew up on Shelter Lane. Peters parents names are Patricia and Peter. I know that Peter had an Uncle that lived around the corner from us on Acadamy lane in levittown and was a policeman. If anybody can help me find him i would greatly appreciate it. My email address is [email protected]

debra

February 6, 2012

You were always one of the "regulars" who treated me with respect and made an Auxiliary feel wanted and useful. It's hard to believe more than 34 years have passed since that terrible day in May. I'm certain the God has watched over your family and that He has kept you close to Him as well. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Leonard Berkoff
Nassau County Auxiliary Police Unit 126 (Retired)

June 11, 2011

It has been some time since your tragic death. But like many hero's in Blue you are not forgotten. May God continue to watch over you and your family. Rest in Peace.

Retired Detective Frank DeMarco
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 29, 2011