A New York City police detective is one of six American troops killed in a suicide attack near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.

Police Commissioner William Bratton on Monday says Detective Joseph Lemm was a 15-year veteran of the New York Police Department and worked in the Bronx Warrant Squad.

Bratton says Lemm served in the U.S. National Guard and, while a member of the police force, he had been deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

The troops were killed Monday when an attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into their patrol in a village near the airfield. Two others were wounded along with an Afghan.

Statement from Commissioner Bratton on the death of Det. Joseph Lemm:

“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.”

William J. Bratton
Police Commissioner

(AP)