John O. Lynch

Mississippi Department of Corrections — Jackson, MS

Felonious

End of Watch September 11, 1919

Age 42

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Guard John Lynch succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained almost three weeks earlier during an escape attempt from the Hinds County Prison Farm.

Four inmates - two male and two female - overpowered and disarmed him. The inmates then locked him in a cage on the farm and shot him, causing a serious wound. The inmates fled but were pursued by a large posse. The two female inmates were quickly captured. One of the male inmates was captured in New Orleans three weeks later. He was convicted of Guard Lynch's murder and hanged on May 28th, 1920.

Rest in peace and know that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 11th, 2020

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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Lynch served with the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Lynch.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Mississippi Department of Corrections

Location Jackson, MS

Platform Identity mdcorr.hinds.ms.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 11, 1919

Age 42

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Executed in 1920

Guard John O. Lynch is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Mississippi Department of Corrections, 7 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.

Mississippi Department of Corrections

of 9 officers

77.8% Felonious

MS — Statewide

242

of 349 officers

69.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious