Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael J. Lynch, on special detail at an A and P store at 458 E. 37th Street, was shot to death at 5:35 pm by one of two bandits when he attempted to stop a robbery in progress. A third accomplice was acting as a lookout in front of the store. The armed men escaped but three days later they were booked for murder after making a confession. It was discovered that the 22-year-old killer had murdered two men in two different Chicago drugstore robberies earlier the same year. One was the owner of his drugstore and the other a customer. He was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life plus two 50 year terms. In 1967 his sentences were commuted to 13 years making him eligible for parole.
Survivors
Patrolman Lynch was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3BC1447F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Patrolman Lynch served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lynch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael J. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. Lynch's cause is highlighted.
How Michael J. Lynch Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. Lynch is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. Lynch was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
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