New York Police Department Detective and Air Force Technical Sgt. Joseph Lemm’s service to his country will be memorialized by renaming in his honor the White Plains Avenue bridge that crosses over Interstate 287 and connects White Plains Avenue and Westchester Avenue in the Town of Harrison to North Street in the City of White Plains. Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman David Buchwald and State Sen. Shelley Mayer to rename the bridge was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week.
Lemm was a 15-year NYPD veteran and a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, after having been activated from the Air Force Reserves and New York Air National Guard. He was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2015, when his convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber before Christmas. Lemm was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for valor by his commanding officers for putting himself in front of the bomber to protect his comrades. Lemm was serving his third tour of duty overseas – two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
He also worked tirelessly as a first responder during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Everyone knew him as “Superman,” not because of his size, but for how big his heart was. He never said “no” when someone asked him for help.
“I am pleased to honor the commitment and sacrifice of NYPD Detective and Air Force Technical Sgt. Joseph G. Lemm by sponsoring legislation to rename a West Harrison bridge over I-287 in his honor,” said Mayer. “Det./TSgt. Lemm served our community and our nation in numerous ways with pride and courage. While serving in Afghanistan, Det./TSgt. Lemm paid the ultimate price. We honor his contributions and his legacy by renaming a bridge in West Harrison, where his family still resides, in his honor.”
“The legislation now signed into law honors an American hero and reminds us of his sacrifice, and that of all our men and women in uniform who are committed to protecting our freedom and security,” added Buchwald. “The bridge dedication will commemorate Det./Sgt. Lemm’s commitment and the strong civic bond that he had for West Harrison, the people of New York, and his country.”
Lemm’s family resides in West Harrison and he is survived by his widow, a son in elementary school, a daughter in college, and mother.
“I am so happy and excited that Joe will be honored with this tribute right in our hometown, keeping his legacy and life of service alive,” said his widow, Christine. “His name on the bridge will spike conversations in the future about who Joe was, and remind us what service to country means.”
