Retired NYPD Detective Joseph Michael Herbert, famed for capturing the notorious “New York Zodiac Killer,” has died at age 68.

NEW YORK — The NYPD and the city it protects are mourning the loss of a true crime-fighting legend.

Retired Detective Joseph Michael Herbert, the decorated officer credited with capturing the infamous “New York Zodiac Killer,” has died at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, grit, and relentless pursuit of justice.

Herbert, who served more than two decades with the NYPD, passed away peacefully at his Long Island home, surrounded by his family, according to close friends. The cause of death has not been officially released, though he had been battling health issues in recent years.

His name remains etched in New York City law enforcement history, best known for helping crack one of the city’s most terrifying criminal cases of the 1990s — the chilling spree of the so-called Zodiac copycat killer.

“Joe was the real deal,” said one former NYPD colleague. “Old school. No shortcuts, no fear. The kind of cop you want on your side when the worst of the worst is out there.”

The case that defined Herbert’s career terrorized New Yorkers for nearly two years. Between 1990 and 1994, a series of seemingly random shootings rocked the five boroughs. Each victim appeared unrelated — different boroughs, different backgrounds, different walks of life.

But the killer left eerie letters signed with astrological symbols, referencing the Zodiac signs of his victims. It was a nod to the original Zodiac Killer who haunted San Francisco in the 1960s and ’70s — and the imitation was terrifyingly precise.

The press dubbed him the “New York Zodiac Killer,” and fear spread like wildfire. The city had seen its fair share of violent crime, but this was different. The killings felt cold, calculated, and ritualistic. Panic grew as months passed with no arrest, no real leads, and no motive.

That’s when Detective Joseph Herbert was brought into the case.

“He wasn’t loud, he wasn’t flashy,” said a retired lieutenant who worked with him during the investigation. “But he saw things other people missed. He could look at a case file and find the thread that would unravel the whole thing.”

And that’s exactly what he did.

Herbert meticulously pieced together evidence across precincts, connecting dots that others had overlooked — handwriting analysis, ballistics, and witness timelines.

Eventually, his work led to the arrest of Heriberto “Eddie” Seda in 1996, a troubled young man living in Brooklyn who was obsessed with the original Zodiac killer.

Seda was later convicted of multiple murders and attempted murders and sentenced to over 200 years in prison.

The city breathed a sigh of relief, and Herbert became a quiet hero. He didn’t chase media attention, but his accomplishment was undeniable.

“Joe never wanted the spotlight,” said his son, Michael Herbert. “He just wanted to protect people. That was his mission.”

Over the course of his career, Herbert received numerous commendations for valor, investigative excellence, and leadership. But colleagues say it wasn’t the medals that made him special — it was his unwavering dedication to justice and the victims he fought for.

“He treated every case like it was personal,” said one former NYPD detective. “He didn’t sleep until he knew someone was safe.”

Even after retiring from the force, Herbert remained involved in public safety, consulting on cold cases and mentoring young detectives just starting out. Many say he was the kind of cop you could call at midnight — and he’d answer.

Born and raised in Queens, Herbert came from a working-class Irish-American family. His father was a transit worker; his mother a school secretary.

He joined the NYPD in the late 1970s and quickly rose through the ranks due to his keen instincts and no-nonsense work ethic. He met his wife, Eileen, during a precinct holiday party. They were married for over 40 years and raised three children together.

“He was a tough guy with a soft heart,” said Eileen Herbert in a brief statement. “His family was everything to him. And he loved this city.”

As news of Herbert’s passing spread, tributes poured in from across the city and beyond.

Mayor Eric Adams called him “a true New York hero,” while NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban praised him as “a detective whose legacy will live forever in the stories of those he protected and the criminals he brought to justice.”

Plans for a public memorial are underway, with thousands expected to attend. His old precinct is expected to hang black mourning bunting above its doors — a tradition reserved for the department’s most respected.

Even in death, Herbert’s impact is felt across the streets of New York. For many who lived through the terror of the Zodiac killings, his work brought not just justice, but peace.

“He gave the city back its sense of safety,” said one longtime Brooklyn resident. “He made us feel like someone was watching out for us. That mattered then — and it still matters now.”

Detective Joseph Michael Herbert is survived by his wife, Eileen, their three children — Michael, Tara, and Sean — and seven grandchildren.

New York has lost one of its finest. But the legacy of the man who hunted monsters will never fade.