Assistant Deputy Director Michael S. Bernstein

Assistant Deputy Director Michael S. Bernstein

United States Department of Justice - Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Government

End of Watch Wednesday, December 21, 1988

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Michael S. Bernstein

Assistant Deputy Director Michael Bernstein, Special Agent Ronald Lariviere, and Special Agent Daniel O'Connor, both of the Diplomatic Security Service, were killed when a terrorist's bomb destroyed the commercial aircraft they were traveling in while returning to the United States from Europe.

A total of 259 people on the plane and 11 people on the ground were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. The investigation that followed lead to strong sanctions against Libya and the arrest of two Libyan nationals. One suspect was convicted of murder while the second was acquitted.

On July 25, 2009, the suspect applied for, and was later granted compassionate release from the United Kingdom, on the basis that he had terminal prostate cancer. On August 20, 2009, he was released from prison and traveled to Libya the same day. He died in Libya in 2012.

Bio

Age 36
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Terrorist attack
Location Overseas
Weapon Explosives; Bomb
Offender Deceased

bomb, terrorism

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Most Recent Reflection

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Your son wrote a very moving story of your career and sacrifice in the June 2025 Issue of New York Times Magazine. You would be very proud of it. Your story continues to be told. Even before the magazine issue release, I was aware of your story. I am also the Grandson of a WWII Combat Veteran who was a soldier in the fight against the Nazis. It is humbling to see and know that men like you continued the fight for justice after so many years after WWII.

Christian Durante
•Retired Volunteer NYPD Auxiliary Police Sergeant
NYPD 68th Pct Auxiliary Police Unit
•DHS Federal Employee
• USCG Auxiliary

June 3, 2025