Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

12/14/2023 I discovered his grave in October 1997 when placing a pumpkin on the grave of my murdered son Michael Maurice O'Donald in Holy Cross cemetery Brooklyn,NY in St .Celcia section. At that time I was going to my son's grave every week & kept checking Patrick's grave to see if anyone went there. No one had My Family adopted his grave .Every Christmas place something there. Always place a rock on top of his grave as a notice that some one had been there.That I found out in Ireland was how they marked their graves. I am a retired NYCPD Det/79Pct. I asked the Holy Name ,Emerald Society [once they placed a wreath],Anchor Society [my uncle Morris O'Donald a Bklyn. Mounted was a past president] PBA was great , None listed would place a wreath . Asked the DEA. No hi was not a detective.. Finally I was at a GOAL meeting b& there was an Inspector from Employees Relations & I approached him for help . He had me contact Lieut. from that unit. She has been sesing to the placing of a wreath on PO Canavan's grave for the last 2 years & promised to continue .I found out in my quest for him that the NYCPD ONLY keeps a Fallen Officers File of offices killed in the line of duty up to 1972. Letters are to be sent to all PD organizations to correct this big error & make the cut off 1840. Michael M .O'Donald sr.

Michael Maurice O'Donald
NYCPD 79 Pct. uniform Det.

December 14, 2023

Patrolman Canavan,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 7, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service, your selfless actions that day and your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 7, 2020

Rest in peace Probationary Patrolman Canavan.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 6, 2019

Pat was a close to our family. His older brother was was my friends with my older brother. I remember him sitting in our living room telling my mom that he was going into the police academy. He killed right around the corner from my house. Pat was a really great person and somone I looked up to. I still think of him often.

John Nolan
Close Friend

February 20, 2019

Rest in peace brother.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

September 7, 2018

Rest in peace

Lt. Jim Russo

September 7, 2017

Forty Six Years and one day ago, my father Police Officer John Rogers responded to the job involving Patrick while assigned to the 68 Pct. Subsequently my dad chased down and arrested the suspect that stabbed Patrick. My Father told me about that night many times and was often in tears because of the incident. He told me that "On that night of Sept 7 1970 I lost a brother, it did not matter that I did not know him I lost a brother." Every time I step foot into 1 Police Plaza I take out a moment to observe the wall of hero's and look at Patrick's name. I know the pain never goes away. My father passed this year on 05/22 but was always proud that he wore the uniform of an NYPD Police Officer and that I had followed in his footsteps. God bless Patrick and his family.

Detective Shane B Rogers
New York City Police Department

September 8, 2016

I was only 12 when 12 when you left too suddenly. I remember you stopping by house talking to my mom a lot. I really looked up to and was proud when you entered the academy. You were attacked only 2 short blocks from my house. I remember as we wwatched the sea of officers lined along 4th Ave outside St Anselm Church. It seems like just yesterday. You're missed grately. RIP

john nolan
close family friend

August 12, 2016

I was only 12 when 12 when you left too suddenly. I remember you stopping by house talking to my mom a lot. I really looked up to and was proud when you entered the academy. You were attacked only 2 short blocks from my house. I remember as we wwatched the sea of officers lined along 4th Ave outside St Anselm Church. It seems like just yesterday. You're missed grately. RIP

john nolan
close family friend

August 12, 2016

It was my honor to research newspapers, books and magazines and finally find your Probationary ID Card Photo and make sure your photo was put on this site. I wanted to put a face to your heroism in the Line of Duty. I did the research because you are a brother officer and no matter how many years past, you will always be remembered. Rest Easy Hero.

APO Christian Durante
NYPD: 68th Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit

February 5, 2016

Pat,
You continue to remain in our thoughts with great pride
throughout these many years. Rest in peace.

Jim Coates
Cousin

December 27, 2014

Pat. We think of you every day. Mom and Dad loved and missed their Patrick. Your family remembers your personality, humor, leadership and caring thoughtfulness toward all. You will always be with us. Thanks to all who have written here. Love, Brother Bob, Kellen, Claire, Michael Patrick, and Molly O'Neill.

Robert Canavan
Brother

December 23, 2014

pat its been a long time since we went to St. Augustine togather .. we will never forget a fallen Lancer rest in Peace my friend terry obrien

terence obrien
friend

December 18, 2014

Rest in peace, brother.

P/O Bill Walsh
Voorhees Police Department

March 4, 2014

Patrolman Canavan,
Sir, even though it's been over 43 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of New York City. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 17, 2013

Patrick Canavan, I was just getting to know you when you were so cruelly taken. Young, talented, funny, and you wanted to make a difference. My future brother in law. You will never be forgotten. You made the ultimate sacrifice.

Ellen Canavan
sister in law

July 16, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 43rd anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

May 1, 2013

I think of Patrick often. He was a good young man with a very strong sense of right and wrong. He died because he wanted to make a positive contribution to his neighborhood. As a grown man with a family, I have come to remember Patrick as one of my heros.

William H. Metrey
High Schoil Classmate

December 30, 2011

I said a little prayer today for Patrolman Canavan and his family. He may be gone but never forgotten. He will always be a New York HERO.

Robyn Wilkes

September 3, 2009

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 20, 2007

After all these years, you're not forgotten. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Bob Admirand
friend

January 25, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace.

June 5, 2004