Officer James F. Lynch

Port Authority Police

Officer Lynch's Act of Heroism

Over 400 first responders lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Heroically performing their sworn duty, these firefighters, members of the NYPD and PAPD, and numerous other rescue workers will forever be remembered for their sacrifice.

My Hero

When friends describe James F. Lynch, the first word they all reach for is "helpful."

A lifelong law enforcement officer and avid fisherman, the 47-year-old Woodbridge resident died in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"He was a very helpful individual, very thorough, very involved," said Ray Geary, a captain of a charter fishing boat and a member of the Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association, where Mr. Lynch had served as secretary.

"He was a very good fisherman. And he was always open to share information. If he had a good day, he'd share that, so the next guy going out would have a good catch," Mr. Geary said.

"He was a great guy, willing to help anybody," said Joe Larosa, co- owner of another charter fishing boat.

He noted that Mr. Lynch, a Port Authority police officer, was out on sick leave on Sept. 11. But he was unwilling to stay home during the disaster at the building where he worked. Mr. Lynch went to Manhattan to help out and, like so many others, never returned.

Lynch's entire career was spent in various branches of law enforcement. He first served as a corrections officer at Rahway State Prison -- now called East Jersey State Prison -- where he began working in 1975. Later he was a police officer with Conrail, and in 1979 he joined the Port Authority Police, where his most recent work was with emergency services and hazardous material response at the World Trade Center. He earned a group valor citation for heroic actions taken during the 1993 bombing at the Trade Center.

Profile by Jenifer D. Braun published in THE STAR-LEDGER.
Information courtesy of the Remember 9/11/2001 memorial site on legacy.com