Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, four sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-32B7B49A- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Lynch gave the New York City Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lynch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Joseph J. Lynch is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph J. Lynch's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph J. Lynch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph J. Lynch is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph J. Lynch was killed by explosives.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
