Wake Held For NYPD Detective Killed By Suicide Bomber In Afghanistan
WEST HARRISON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hundreds turned out Tuesday for first of two wake services for Joseph Lemm, the NYPD detective and Air National guardsman killed by a suicide bomber while serving in Afghanistan.
Services were scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in West Harrison.
Servicemen and police officers stood at attention, saluting as Lemm's casket was carried into the church, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
The 45-year-old Westchester resident was a technical sergeant in the Air Guard's 105th Base Security Squadron and a 15-year veteran of the NYPD. He was killed Dec. 21 when his patrol was attacked by a suicide bomber outside Bagram Air Base.
"He was a family man and he was well respected in this community," Marilyn Marsica told CBS2's Lou Young.
"It was something to be grateful for, that we feel safe here while he's there," said Deborah Messina.
The mourners included a mix of blue uniforms -- fellow cops and fellow airmen.
"We're all brothers and sisters. We're all family in one way or another, and having been overseas, it very easily could've been me or anyone else," said Airman Sean Gavin, with the 106th Rescue Wing USAF.
"Policemen from the city, from the county; they're just showing their respect. That's amazing," said Lemm's neighbor Bill Montecelli.
Lemm is survived by his wife, Christine; his teenage daughter, Brooke; and a 4-year-old son, Ryan.
Lemm's family reeling under the strain of their loss, especially his youngest, Young reported.
"Just to see him inside; the way he's hugging his mom and looking at all the police officers and the military inside," said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who was in attendance. "To see the casket with the flag draped over it. It's probably incomprehensible for him, but he knows that daddy's not there and what's happening. It's going to take a long time for it to sink in."
Nearly 400 people were on hand Monday as the coffin carrying Lemm's body arrived at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
Major John Torres, an Air National Guard chaplain, said Lemm, who served one tour of duty in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, was about family, honor and service.
"Technical Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm was and remains without doubt a shining example of this calling," he said.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan will lead the funeral Mass for Lemm at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Wednesday morning. He will be buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
Five other Americans also died in the bombing, including Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa, of Long Island. The 31-year-old from Coram was also a member of the Stewart-based security unit.
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