09.11.13

Honor the Fallen.

Officer James Lynch 

(June 13,1954 - Sept. 11, 2001)

 On the morning of September 11, 2001, seventy-two officers from a total of eight local, state, and federal agencies were killed as a result of the terrorist attacks on the United States. One of those 72 officers was Officer James Lynch, a childhood coach and family friend. Officer Lynch was killed while attempting to rescue the victims trapped in the World Trade Center.

Officer Lynch was a 22-year veteran of the Port Authority Police Department assigned to the Emergency Service Unit / Hazardous Material Response, World Trade Center, NYC. Despite the fact that he was out on medical leave, recovering from shoulder surgery, he responded to the situation and assisted in the evacuation and rescue of individuals involved in the attacks. Officer Lynch was found in the remains of the South Tower on December 7, 2001, he was still carrying his flashlight, with his badge number, 775, still clearly etched on its barrel. Officer Lynch’s family donated his bunker jacket, first aid kit, and flashlight to the 9/11 Memorial Museum to honor his extraordinary service.  

He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Gavin Lynch of Metuchen; his son, James C, and his son's mother, Evelyn Lynch of Edison; his sisters, Margaret Dugdale of Metuchen and Carol Penna of Janesville; his brothers Peter of Ringoes, Bill of Philadelphia, and David of Edison; and his grandmother, Mildred Gavin of Metuchen.