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West Harrison's Joseph G. Lemm, Killed In Afghanistan, Gets Full Honors

WEST HARRISON, N.Y. -- A New York City Police inspector's funeral with full military honors will be held Wednesday for Detective Joseph G. Lemm, a West Harrison resident, who was killed Dec. 21 in Afghanistan while serving with the Air National Guard. He was 45.

Joseph Lemm - who was 6-foot-5 and served his country and region - was known to friends and colleagues as "Superman."

Joseph Lemm - who was 6-foot-5 and served his country and region - was known to friends and colleagues as "Superman."

Photo Credit: Deborah Burnley
Joseph Lemm was on the NYPD force for 16 years, after serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He continued in the Air National Guard.

Joseph Lemm was on the NYPD force for 16 years, after serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. He continued in the Air National Guard.

Photo Credit: Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services
Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Photo Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys
Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Photo Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys
Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Photo Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys
Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Service members paid their respects during a fallen comrade ceremony at Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, on Dec. 23. Joseph Lemm was one of six airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bombing.

Photo Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Rau

Lemm was one of six U.S. troops killed in a suicide bombing, which targeted their American-Afghan joint patrol near Bagram Air Base.

His friends and colleagues nicknamed him "Superman." He excelled in high school sports and went on to serve his country and New York.

After high school, Lemm enlisted in the Air Force, where he was promoted to technical sergeant. After active duty, he joined the Air National Guard. He'd finished a tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and was on his second Afghanistan tour when he was killed. Lemm received numerous awards and commendations, including the Purple Heart and a forthcoming Bronze Star for valor.

In 2000, Lemm had joined the New York City Police Department, and over his 16 years, he was highly decorated.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; daughter, Brooke; son, Ryan; parents Charles Ronek of Dubuque, Iowa, and Shirley Lemm of Beemer, Nebraska; brother Brian Lemm; mother-in-law Jill DeGuisto; sister-in-law Kim Arnette; and godmother Carmela Fuca.

Lemm was predeceased by a sister-in-law Karen Ann DeGuisto.

Visiting hours will be from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 85 Harrison Street, West Harrison. 

The NYPD Inspector's funeral, with full military honors, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

Bus transportation will be available from St. Anthony of Padua Church to St. Patrick's; click here for reservation information.

Interment will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne. Arrangements were made by Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services.

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