Patrolman Michael J. Reedy, Orangetown Police Department, New York

Patrolman Michael J. Reedy

Orangetown Police Department, New York

End of Watch Thursday, August 2, 1973

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Michael J. Reedy

Patrolman Michael Reedy and Patrolman Thomas Kennedy were stuck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at an accident scene on Route 303 near the intersection with Leber Road.

The officers and other emergency personnel were at the scene of a serious crash on State Rt. 303 in the Hamlet of Blauvelt. The accident scene was closed off and well lit by flares and emergency lights of emergency vehicles. A drunk driver coming north at a high rate of speed passed the flares, drove over the fire hoses and struck both officers, who were standing together in the roadway. His speed was estimated to be 80 mph.

The 24-year-old subject was convicted of two counts of criminally negligent homicide and DWI and sentenced to two four year terms to be served concurrently. He was paroled in 1977.

Patrolman Reedy was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Orangetown Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 4 years, 4 months
Badge 57
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Paroled in 1977

directing traffic, accident scene, Impaired Driver

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the deaths of this two fine young men
who were not just police officers but husbands sons fathers brothers uncles nephews and though they never lived to see it grandfathers. They were our neighbors, friends and part of the community and county. Their senseless deaths by one person on alcohol destroyed two families and who was given so little time in prison for this act. Unfortunately that person remains alive out in the Pacific Northwest and it my hope that guilt and nightmares have haunted him all these years for the destruction of two lives in a selfish act. I wish you no peace or joy in life these past 50 yrs nor your remaining years on this earth. I hope know the pain and suffering you suffering you put two families through, how you robbed the wives of a husband, the children of their father, the parents of their sons, the siblings of their brother and uncle and community and county of two fine law abiding men who deserved to grow old and did not because of your selfish act in your youth.

Jane Strauss
Member of the community

August 4, 2023