Politics & Government
Harrison Man Among 6 Americans Killed in Afghan Suicide Bombing
The bombing near Bagram Air Base has been called one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. forces this year.
Harrison is mourning Joseph Lemm, a member of the US Air National Guard and member of the NYPD, who was one of six American soldiers killed in in the recent Taliban attack in Afghanistan.
A member of the Bronx Warrant Squad, Detective Lemm was a 15-year veteran of the department as well as a staff sergeant in the U.S. National Guard.
He was on his third deployment.
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He leaves behind his wife, Christine, and two children: a 17-year-old daughter, Brook, and 4-year-old son, Ryan, the New York Post reported.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack that happened near the Bagram Air Base when a motorcycle rigged with explosives targeted the troops. The service members were conducting a routine patrol at the time, according to a statement issued by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. A U.S. contractor and two other service members were also injured in the attack.
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New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued this statement:
Staff Sgt. Joe Lemm was committed to his fellow Americans, and embodied the selflessness and bravery of the U.S. Armed Forces and the NYPD. I join all New Yorkers in mourning his loss, as well as the loss of the other victims of this horrific attack. They will be greatly missed.
Below is NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton’s full statement:
Earlier today, we lost one of our Finest in a suicide bombing in Bagram, Afghanistan. Detective Joseph Lemm epitomized the selflessness we can only strive for: putting his country and city first.
Detective Lemm not only served New Yorkers as a member of this Department, but served his country as a member of the U.S. Air National Guard. Detective Lemm was a fifteen year veteran of the NYPD and was promoted to Detective in January of 2014, serving in the Bronx Warrant Squad.
As a member of the NYPD, Detective Lemm was deployed three times, twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.
Detective Lemm leaves behind a wife and two children.
Tonight, we grieve and we remember this selfless public servant who dedicated his life to protecting others.
Image via NYPD
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