Nassau Police Chief of Patrol Kevin Canavan dies of 9/11-related cancer at 64

The Nassau County Police Department's chief of patrol Kevin Canavan, who rose through the ranks over 39 years in the department, died on Sunday from cancer related to his 9/11 response efforts, county officials announced. He was 64.

Canavan began his law-enforcement career in Nassau as a recruit in May 1985, before holding numerous ranks in the department. As chief of patrol, the second-highest ranking uniformed officer, he oversaw more than 2,000 sworn and civilian members of the police department.

Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said in a phone interview Sunday evening that he had known Canavan for most of those years and noted that they were promoted to the rank of sergeant in the same 1996 class. Ryder said Canavan was a smart, loyal cop, who was respected by the department.

"Kevin should be remembered as a team player, a cop's cop," Ryder said. 

Ryder said most recently, while in his hospital bed, Canavan invited high-ranking police officials to meet with him to go over the operational plan for the T20 Cricket World Cup, which attracted thousands of fans in June to a temporary stadium in Eisenhower Park.

"Right down to the end, he battled to make sure we were doing our job and everybody was going to do their part," he said. "He knew his responsibility and took it on with respect."

Canavan developed the Drone Detection Unit that was used during the world cup as a safety measure, the department said.

Canavan received numerous awards, the department said, including most recently being given the 2024 Theodore Roosevelt Award for “his tireless work ethic even when seriously ill" due to complications from a cancer contracted from his exposure during the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement that Canavan “was the consummate law enforcement professional with high intellect, integrity, and passion.”

The Nassau County Legislature's Minority leader, Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, praised Canavan’s professionalism.

“During his decorated 39-year career in the Nassau County Police Department, Kevin Canavan exemplified the values of professionalism, dedication and commitment that fueled his ascension through the ranks of the Nassau County Police Department — and his passion for serving and protecting the public shined through right until the very end of his valiant battle with 9/11-related cancer,” DeRiggi-Whitton said in a statement.

A spokesman for the police department said details on funeral services will be released when they are available.