Retired NYPD Chief Joseph Michael Herbert, who dedicated 38 years to the New York Police Department and is known for apprehending the infamous “New York Zodiac Killer,” passed away in his Rockaway Beach residence on September 30.
The esteemed officer was 68 years old.
“He was the finest leader I ever served under and the keenest detective I’ve ever known,” shared retired homicide Detective Louie Savarese about Herbert. “He was truly devoted to the job, and his love for the NYPD was matched only by his affection for his wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Kristen.
“It was a true honor to work alongside him,” added Savarese.
A native of Brooklyn, Herbert joined the NYPD at 23 in 1981 and quickly rose through the ranks, reaching the detective level in just five years, receiving the Medal of Valor in 1985.
One of his most notable achievements was the capture of Heriberto Seda in 1996, a serial killer responsible for the deaths of three innocent individuals and the wounding of several others in Brooklyn and Queens.
Seda, serving a 235-year sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility, earned his moniker by selecting victims based on zodiac signs and astrological alignments.
Herbert’s significant contributions to law enforcement extended beyond that infamous arrest.
Endearingly nicknamed “Pork Chop” by fellow officers, he was assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
He concluded his career as a deputy chief and commanding officer, retiring in 2017.
“Joe’s expertise regarding crime trends and criminals was unparalleled in our department,” remarked former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce to The Post. “His insights at compstat were deemed gospel.
“He was a remarkable individual with minimal ego and a valued colleague,” Boyce added.
An enthusiastic fan of the New York Rangers, Herbert embraced retirement in Rockaway Beach, where he cherished time with his granddaughter and worked on an autobiography, his family noted.
“He had an incredible ability to bring calmness to any situation, faced challenges with a quick wit, showed unwavering loyalty to friends, and lived every day guided by love and integrity,” his obituary read.
A wake will take place on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Denis S. O’Connor Funeral Home in Far Rockaway, followed by a funeral mass at St. Francis De Sales Church and interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island, according to the funeral home.
The family requests donations be made to the First Responder’s Children’s Foundation.
