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Incident
Patrolman Joseph Lecak was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a gas line explosion and fire in the downtown district of Homestead.
Patrolman Lecak was off duty and at home with his family when the dry cleaning store next to his apartment building exploded, causing a major fire.
He evacuated his wife and children to the home of a friend and was returning to the scene to provide assistance when his vehicle went out of control and crashed through the front window of a furniture store on East Eighth Avenue. He was transported to Homestead Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Patrolman Lecak had served with the Homestead Police Department for 25 years and had previously served with the United States Army during World War II.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Lecak gave the Homestead Borough Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Homestead community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph G. Lecak served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Homestead Borough Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 2 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 54. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.6% of these deaths in PA, more than any other month. Thursdays: 13.7%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Homestead Borough Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Homestead Borough Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Military Service
Joseph G. Lecak served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph G. Lecak’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Homestead Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
