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Incident
Officer Kraus and Officer James Lynchwere shot and killed as they searched for a suspect in an assault case. Officer Lynch was off-duty and in plain cloths when he came upon a fight in front of a pool hall in the area of Irving Street and Central Avenue. The crowd recognized him as a police officer and fled on foot. One of the men that was involved in the fight sustained facial injuries and Officer Lynch escorted him to police headquarters for treatment for his injuries. While walking him to Headquarters, Officer Lynch observed that one of the suspects that had fled was wearing a red sweater and was hiding in a hallway at 8 Main Street. Leaving the victim at Headquarters, Officer Lynch returned to the Main Street Address with Officer Kraus to look for the man in the red sweater. When they arrived, the suspect was gone. The officers entered the building and proceeded up the stairs to an apartment and knocked on the door. They requested permission to enter "in the name of the law to secure a man that had been seen entering the house". When the door opened, the man inside opened fire with a .45-caliber handgun, killing both officers. The suspect was apprehended and charged with murder. He was not, however, the suspect that the officers were originally searching for. That suspect was later located and it was determined that he had nothing to do with the murder of Officer Lynch or Officer Kraus. The suspect that shot the officers was later found not guilty at trial, claiming that he believed the men entering his apartment were thieves and did not realize they were police officers. Officer Kraus had served with the Rahway Police Department for 14 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Kraus gave the Rahway Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rahway community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kraus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rahway Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Jacob is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Jacob is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jacob is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 4 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jacob had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Jacob had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jacob had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Rahway Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Rahway Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Jacob among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rahway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
