Franklin Township (Somerset County) Police Department
New Jersey
End of Watch: Sunday, July 10, 1960

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, July 10, 1960
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide

Patrolman Dunham and Patrolman John Lebed were shot and killed while escorting a male to get bail money. The male had been arrested by the officers after they received a tip that he was carrying a concealed weapon and driving with a revoked license. After the arrest, the male was taken to the police station where he was booked and told he would have to pay a $250 bond. To obtain the funds, the officers escorted him to his home in New Brunswick where he then shot and killed both of them. The male fled and was later surrounded in Union Township. To avoid capture, he shot himself in the head, causing a severe wound. While on his deathbed, he admitted to the murders of Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham and two previous murders.

Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham were honored by having a public park, Dunham-Lebed Park and two public roads, Lebed Drive and Dunham Street, named after them.