BPD REMEMBERS: Today, the men and women of the Boston Police Department remember Patrolman John T. Lynch who was killed in the line of duty 116 years ago today.
Patrolman Lynch was shot and killed as he and another officer were searching for three men who had just robbed a store at 364 Washington Street, running off with several sweaters. After Patrolman Lynch and the other officer split up, he found one of the suspects and was shot by the suspect as he grabbed him. The other officer who heard the shot ran back to find Patrolman Lynch holding on to the suspect. Patrolman Lynch died minutes later.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life June 9, 1908. He was paroled, however, 34 years later on December 24, 1942.
Patrolman Lynch is Buried at Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain, MA His name is located on the National Law Enforcement Memorial, Location Panel 24 West Line 15. His name is also on the Hero Wall at Boston Police Headquarters and the Massachusetts State Law enforcement Memorial Located at the State House in Boston.
A Hero sign has been placed on District 1 at Summer and Kingston Streets.
Additionally, several media accounts which appeared in local newspapers in 1908 detailing Patrolman Lynch’s line-of-duty death are listed below:
