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Incident
Officer Lynch and Officer Jacob Kraus were 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 crown 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 has 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 Lynch had served with the Rahway Police Department for two years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lynch gave the Rahway Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rahway community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lynch.
— 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.
James is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
James is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 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
James was 49. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
James was 49. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 49. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 2 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 34,102 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, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rahway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
