Police Officer Kevon Malik Gavin

Kevon Malik Gavin

Police Officer Kevon Gavin died a day after his patrol car was struck by a vehicle being pursued by other officers on Lombard Street near Gilmore Street.

The suspects were being pursued by officers responding to a shots fired call just after 10:00 pm. The suspect's vehicle deliberately struck Officer Gavin's patrol carat over 80 mph, landed on top of it, and crushed its roof. Officers on the scene attempted to remove the vehicle as Officer Gavin's vehicle ignited in flames, but could not free him until emergency crews arrived.

Officer Gavin was transported to a local hospital where he died at 3:30 pm the next day. The juvenile driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene and charged as an adult with first-degree murder. The boy was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a semi-automatic handgun. Even though the boy admitted driving the vehicle, in January 2001, he was acquitted of all charges, including first-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, use of a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon, transportation of a handgun, and wearing a bulletproof vest.

Officer Gavin was a combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War and had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for six years. He is survived by his wife, two stepchildren, and one son.