Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville
January 31, 1957 — August 22, 2025
Sheriff Kevin J. McConville passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, August 22, 2025. He was exactly where he wanted to be: in his bed, in his home, surrounded by his family. He was 68 years old.
McConville was a lifelong resident of Cold Spring, NY. He was born on January 31, 1957, and was raised in the village, where he lived with his parents, former Mayor Ronald McConville and Marjorie “June” McConville, and his siblings, Barbara, Ronnie, and Dickie. McConville graduated from Haldane High School in 1975, and received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Marist University. In 1982, he married his high school sweetheart Janice (née Brigati) and together they raised their three children — Ryan, Kylie, and Ilana — in the same house he grew up in, in the village he adored.
McConville was a man of devotion: to his family, his friends, his community, and to his work. He was a proud police officer, a career he treated with unflinching reverence and respect. With more than 30 years of service in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, he began his career as a patrolman, rising through the ranks to become the first member from the Agency to be appointed Chief of Police in 2005. Prior to becoming Chief of Police, McConville was First Deputy Chief of the Department, Captain of the District 6 Command, Captain of the Department Manual Development Team, and held roles as Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Detective, as well as Executive Officer in various units.
During his tenure as Chief, he created the Interagency Counter Terrorism Team, worked closely with the FBI and members of the Joint Terroism Task Force, and created a fifty-team Canine (K9) Unit. He managed the MTA’s response at Grand Central on September 11, 2001, coordinating alongside local and state police agencies to ensure Grand Central, railways, and subway lines were safe and secure. He was Chief of Police during the London and Madrid bombings, where he assisted the MTAPD response and developed strategies and deployment plans that were instrumental to maintaining public safety and security. He was also a member of the Governor’s Homeland Security Team. After retiring as Chief in 2008, he served as Director of Security at Hudson Valley Hospital Center (now NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital) in Cortlandt, NY, until 2020.
In 2021, he was elected Sheriff of Putnam County, where he was incredibly proud to serve the community and county that he loved. Under his leadership, he improved working conditions for the men and women of his department by implementing safer, more efficient, and appropriate services such as a new records management system and a new jail management system. He ensured that a radio communication system, which was years in the making, went into effect and obtained new vehicles for officers. He routinely worked with schools and leadership teams to keep students and faculty safe and partnered with local mental health and domestic violence organizations to provide support, services, and resources for those in need.
In December of 2024, McConville and the Sheriff’s Department achieved Division of Criminal Justice Services (Division) State Accreditation in Law Enforcement, a major achievement and benefit to all county residents. In addition to the DCJS State Accreditation, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Response Team also met the standards for the SWAT Team Certification. With just its DCJS Accreditation, the Sheriff’s Department became the only agency in Putnam County to receive such accreditation, let alone two certifications.
McConville was a public servant in every sense of the word, devoting his life to serving others with integrity, courage, and compassion. He was a Trustee of the New York State Sheriffs Association, a lifelong member of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, Stephen P. Driscoll Lodge #704, the Hudson Valley 10-13 Association, Knights of Columbus Council 36318, and the Brewster Elks Lodge #2101.
His family was exceptionally proud of his professional achievements, but at home, he was just Dad. He was an adoring husband, a dedicated father, and a beloved “Bop” to his grandchildren, Bennett and Reagan. He was silly, sarcastic, stubborn, steadfast, and a total softie for his favorite dog, Wolf. He taught his children and his grandchildren to be kind, smart, considerate, faithful, and to argue better than anyone else in the room (even when that person was him). He loved them more than anything — and was infamous for having “something in his eye” whenever he talked about them.
He was always ready for one of Reagan’s knock-knock jokes and he made an incredibly convincing Robin to Bennett’s Batman, even converting his closet into a batcave. He was happiest when they were all together, whether that was in the backyard at their house in Cold Spring, overlooking his favorite view of the river, or on family trips to Fort Myers, Florida. He loved the chaos that came with 10 people sharing two bathrooms. He was endlessly loyal, altruistic, and compassionate.
He dedicated hours to his work and his personal and professional development, but always made time for his kids. He was a Pop Warner coach, a CYO coach, a Little League coach, a school trip chaperone, and a fixture at Saturday morning rec and AAU games. As they got older, he loved watching Ryan, Kylie, and Ilana play football and basketball at Haldane, and regularly made the five-hour trip to St. Lawrence University to watch Ryan play football in college. He was such a proud Bop watching Bennett and Reagan play baseball and softball.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janice; his son, Ryan (Megan) McConville; his daughters, Kylie (“Z”) and Ilana (Andrew) McConville; his grandchildren, Bennett and Reagan McConville; and his brothers, Ronnie (Diane) McConville and Dickie (Carol Ann) McConville. Ask, and they will tell you he is deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, his family kindly asks that donations be made to the Putnam County SPCA – New York (https://spcaputnam.org/) or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/).
Friends and family may call on Tuesday August 26, 2025 from 4-8pm at Clinton Funeral Home, 21 Parrott Street, Cold Spring. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday August 27, 2025 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 24 Fair Street, Cold Spring. Interment will follow in Cold Spring Cemetery.
Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said, “Kevin dedicated his life to public service, most recently as one of Putnam County’s top law enforcement officials. He served with integrity, courage, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to the community he loved.
“Sheriff McConville faced his long illness with the same strength and dignity that marked his career. Even during the most difficult times, his focus was always on the safety and well-being of others. On behalf of all of Putnam County, I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin’s family, friends, colleagues, and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department. He will be greatly missed.”
Byrne directed all county buildings to display flags at half-staff until further notice in remembrance of Sheriff Kevin McConville. Rest in peace.
