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Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm, a 15-year detective with the New York Police Department in the Bronx, died in the fiery blast, officials said.
Lemm's joint NATO-Afghan patrol was moving through a village near Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. facility in Afghanistan, when the attacker targeted the troops.
Lemm was on his third overseas tour of duty. He is survived by his wife, Christine; a teenage stepdaughter, Brooke; and a son, Ryan.
It was the deadliest attack on international forces since August. The Taliban claimed responsibility. Two other American soldiers and an Afghan soldier were wounded, military officials said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday in Lemm's honor.
U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said she was deeply saddened by Lemm's death.
"His commitment and dedication to protecting others made him a true patriot," Lowey said. "My thoughts are with his wife and children as well as the loved ones of all six Americans who lost their lives in this horrific attack.”
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