New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Thursday, July 4, 1940
Add to My HeroesJoseph J. Lynch
Detective Joseph Lynch and Detective Ferdinand Socha were killed when a time bomb they were inspecting exploded.
Detective Socha and Lynch were called to the World's Fair Grounds and directed to the British Pavilion after an electrician found a suspicious satchel in a fan room. The canvas bag was emitting a ticking sound, so it was carefully carried to the rear of a secluded area near the Van Wyck Expressway, where it was placed beneath a 20-foot maple tree. Detective Lynch took out a pocketknife and slit open a 2-inch hole in the bag as his partner knelt down to look inside. As the Detectives were examining what appeared to be dynamite, the bag exploded. The explosion opened a crater 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep and killed both Detectives. Four other Police Officers were critically injured.
It was never determined who planted the bomb or what motivated the bombing.
Detective Lynch had served with the New York City Police Department and was assigned to the Bomb Squad. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, four sisters, and three brothers. One of his brothers also served with the New York City Police Department, and two brothers-in-law served in law enforcement.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 1423
Incident Details
- Cause Bomb
- Weapon Explosives; Bomb
- Offender Unknown
Most Recent Reflection
View all 20 ReflectionsNever Forgotten!
Sgt/SDS Brian J. Coughlan
NYPD Bomb Squad
July 4, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024