Probationary Patrolman Patrick M. Canavan

Patrick M. Canavan

Probationary Patrolman Patrick Canavan was stabbed to death when he attempted to break up a street fight in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn while off duty.

Patrolman Canavan observed a large fight in the street on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 88th Street and attempted to break it up. He was stabbed in the stomach with a 12-inch hunting knife while attempting to separate two men. He died at Lutheran Medical Center while doctors were preparing for emergency surgery in an attempt to save his life.

Two suspects were apprehended and pleaded guilty to his murder. On September 28, 1971, the suspect, 21, who stabbed Patrolman Canavan, was sentenced to 15 years to life, and the other suspect, 20, who supplied the knife, was sentenced to 5 years probation. The killer was paroled on October 2, 1989.

Patrolman Canavan had served with the New York City Police Department for only 2 months and was assigned to the Police Academy.