Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 2 years, 10 months, 0 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: Motorcycle Section (MS)

District of Incident (Present Day): 008 - Chicago Lawn

Cause of Death: Crash - Motorcycle (Pursuit)

Age at Time of Death: 33

Timeline


Date of Birth: 29 Oct 1897

Date of Appointment: 18 Feb 1928

Date of Incident: 008 - Chicago Lawn

End of Watch: 18 Dec 1930

Date of Interment: 22 Dec 1930

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Mount Carmel Cemetery - Hillside, Illinois
 Grave Location: Grave 7 in 8, Lot 23, Block 9, Section F
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # C-2

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 5

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 5, Line 19

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 15-E: 28

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman Raymond John Kavanagh, Star #5530, aged 33 years, was a 2 year, 10 month, 0 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Motorcycle Section.

On December 28, 1928, at 7:40 p.m., Officer Kavanagh was riding his police motorcycle when he spotted a speeding vehicle. The officer was in pursuit of the vehicle Southbound on Western Avenue when he struck a curb, at 6624 North Western Avenue, and lost control of his motorcycle. Officer Kavanagh suffered multiple fractures including a skull fracture and was transported to Swedish Covenant Hospital. He survived the incident but was unconscious for 18 days after. Patrolman Kavanagh recovered from the crash and returned to work, however he developed a permanent side effect. He began to suffer from seizures as a result of the crash. Two years later, he underwent brain surgery at Billings Hospital at the University of Chicago to help alleviate the seizures. Officer Kavanagh died during surgery at Billings Hospital on December 18, 1930.

Officer Kavanagh was waked at his residence located at 1635 North Mayfield Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Angela Catholic Church located at 5758 West Potomac Avenue. He was laid to rest on December 22, 1930 in Mount Carmel Cemetery, 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 7 in 8, Lot 23, Block 9, Section F.

Patrolman Raymond John Kavanagh, born October 29, 1897, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 18, 1928. He earned 1 Credible Mention during his career.

Officer Kavanagh was a member of the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association. He was survived by his wife, Kathryn (nee Magee), age 29; children: Edward Raymond, age 4 and Jeanne Marie, age 7; mother, Ellen (nee Ryan) and siblings: James, Margaret and Marie.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department Case #AW-12755.

On March 2, 2010, Officer Kavanagh’s star was retired by Superintendent Jody P. Weis and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.