Hundreds Pay Respect as Sheriff McConville is Laid to Rest
- hollytoal
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Hundreds of first responders from the Hudson Valley and New York City converged on the Village of Cold Spring on Aug. 27 to honor Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville’s lifetime of public service.
McConville, who died Aug. 22 at the age of 68, was laid to rest at the Cold Spring Cemetery following a Mass celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Lutz of Our Lady of Loretto Church and Father Szymon Kurpios of St. John’s Church in Mahopac. The Mass was attended by some 400 officers and emergency responders, along with family members, friends, and state, county and local officials.
The funeral drew officers from multiple agencies across the region who came to pay their respects to a leader and gentleman who dedicated decades to protecting and serving.
As mourners lined the streets, a funeral procession led by two dozen motorcyclists proceeded to the church followed by bagpipers and a hearse carrying the sheriff’s remains. Members of the New York City MTA Police removed the casket and carried it into Our Lady of Loretto Church.
According to his obituary, McConville was a lifelong resident of Cold Spring. Born Jan. 31, 1957, he 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.
He 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 2021, he was elected sheriff of Putnam County. 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 2024, the sheriff’s department achieved Division of Criminal Justice Services state accreditation in law enforcement – a major achievement and benefit to all county residents. In addition, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Response Team also met the standards for SWAT Team Certification.
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 NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, the NYS 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.
While his family was exceptionally proud of his professional achievements, 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 happiest when they were all together, whether in the backyard at their house in Cold Spring overlooking his favorite view of the river, or on family trips to Fort Myers, Fla.
McConville 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 Catholic Youth Organization coach, a Little League coach, a school trip chaperone, and a fixture at Saturday morning rec and Amateur Athletic Union games.
As his kids 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 also a proud Bop, watching Bennett and Reagan play baseball and softball.
In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, McConville is survived by his brothers Ronnie (Diane) McConville and Dickie (Carol Ann) McConville.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to Putnam County SPCA-New York (https://spcaputnam.org) or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847).