St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Friday, May 19, 2023
Add to My HeroesMichael Kunovich
Sergeant Michael Kunovich suffered a fatal heart attack following a violent struggle with a man in the 2500 block of State Road 16 in St. Augustine.
The man was sitting in the dark outside of a closed business when Sergeant Kunovich approached him at about 9:00 pm. When Sergeant Kunovich attempted to pat the man down for weapons, the subject attempted to flee. Sergeant Kunovich and other deputies struggled with the subject for over six minutes, during which the man attempted to disarm him of his taser. After the man was placed in handcuffs, he was able to access a pocket knife which had to be forcibly removed from his hands.
Sergeant Kunovich collapsed moments after the man was put in custody.
The man was charged with resisting violence and aggravated manslaughter. The charges were dropped, but he is in federal prison awaiting deportation.
Sergeant Kunovich had served with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office for 25 years. He is survived by his two sons, mother, stepfather, two sisters, and a brother.
Bio
- Age 52
- Tour 25 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Heart attack
- Weapon Person
- Offender Awaiting deportation
Most Recent Reflection
View all 120 ReflectionsSgt. Kunovich,
On today, the 1st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of St. John’s County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
May 19, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024