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United States > New York > New York City Police Department > Patrolman Joseph A. Piagentini

Patrolman

Joseph A. Piagentini

New York City Police Department, New York

End of Watch: Friday, May 21, 1971

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 28

Tour: 5 years

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Weapon: Gun; Unknown type

Offender: Denied parole in 2004

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Patrolmen Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones were shot and killed while on foot patrol in the Colonial Park Houses public housing complex, at 159th Street and Harlem River Drive. They were ambushed by members of the Black Liberation Army.

As the two patrolmen were returning to their cruiser at approximately 10:00 pm, three suspects snuck up behind them and opened fire. Patrolman Jones was struck in the back of the head and killed instantly. Patrolman Piagentini was shot 13 times and succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

One of the suspects stole Patrolman Jones' weapon which was later recovered in San Francisco, California, after several BLA members opened fire on a San Francisco police officer.

The three suspects were arrested and sentenced to 25 years to life. One of the suspects died in prison. The other two have been denied parole several time. These two suspects, along with five others, were also involved in the murder of Sergeant John Victor Young of the San Francisco Police Department on August 29th, 1971. One has a parole hearing in June, 2018, and the other has his hearing in February, 2018.

Patrolman Piagentini had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

The Black Liberation Army was a violent, radical group that attempted to fight for independence from the United States government in the late 1960's and early 1970's. The BLA was responsible for the murders of more than 10 police officers around the country. They were also responsible for violent attacks around the country that left many police officers wounded.

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Related Line of Duty Deaths

		Police Officer Donald W. Sager Baltimore City Police Department, Maryland End of Watch: Friday, April 24, 1970 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Harold Hamilton San Francisco Police Department, California End of Watch: Monday, October 19, 1970 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman Waverly M. Jones New York City Police Department, New York End of Watch: Friday, May 21, 1971 Cause: Gunfire
		Sergeant John Victor Young San Francisco Police Department, California End of Watch: Sunday, August 29, 1971 Cause: Gunfire
		Corrections Employee Ronald L. Turner California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California End of Watch: Thursday, September 16, 1971 Cause: Stabbed
		Officer James Richard Greene Atlanta Police Department, Georgia End of Watch: Wednesday, November 3, 1971 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Rocco W. Laurie New York City Police Department, New York End of Watch: Thursday, January 27, 1972 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Gregory P. Foster New York City Police Department, New York End of Watch: Thursday, January 27, 1972 Cause: Gunfire
		Trooper Werner Foerster New Jersey State Police, New Jersey End of Watch: Wednesday, May 2, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Sidney L. Thompson New York City Transit Police Department, New York End of Watch: Tuesday, June 5, 1973 Cause: Gunfire
		Patrolman William Reed Templin Penn Central Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police End of Watch: Sunday, May 19, 1974 Cause: Gunfire
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		Sergeant Edward J. O'Grady, Jr. Nyack Police Department, New York End of Watch: Tuesday, October 20, 1981 Cause: Gunfire
		Police Officer Waverly L. Brown Nyack Police Department, New York End of Watch: Tuesday, October 20, 1981 Cause: Gunfire

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