Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Lebed and Patrolman George Dunham were shot and killed while escorting a man to get bail money. The man had been arrested by the officers after they received a tip that he was carrying a concealed weapon and driving with a revoked license. After the arrest, the subject was taken to the police station where he was booked and told he would have to pay a $250 bond. To obtain the funds, the officers escorted him to his home at 140 Montgomery Street, in Highland Park, where he then shot and killed both of them. The man fled and was later surrounded in Union Township. To avoid capture, he shot himself in the head, causing a severe wound. While on his deathbed, he admitted to the murders of Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham as well as two previous murders. Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham were honored by having a public park, Dunham-Lebed Park, and two public roads, Lebed Drive and Dunham Street, named after them. Patrolman Lebed had served with the Franklin Township Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-08065B76- 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 Lebed gave the Franklin Township Police Department (Somerset County) 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lebed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Lebed 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Franklin Township Police Department (Somerset County), 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Lebed's cause is highlighted.
How John Lebed Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Lebed is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Lebed was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Franklin Township Police Department (Somerset County) are honored on badge.nw.
