New Jersey State Police, New Jersey
End of Watch: Thursday, September 19, 1968
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 1809
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: September 19, 1968
Weapon Used: Automobile; Narcotics involved
Suspect Info: Not available
Trooper Kavula was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while directing traffic at an accident scene outside of Toll #13 in Elizabeth. He was struck by the trailer or a tractor trailer as it made a turn.
Another truck driver who witnessed the accident jumped into Trooper Kavula's patrol car and stopped the suspect a short distance away. The 43-year-old man was found to be under the influence of drugs at the time. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, death by vehicle, and several other traffic charges.
Trooper Kavula had served with the agency for five years. He was survived by his wife and young daughter.