The Officer Down Memorial Page Remembers . . .
 
Photograph: Patrolman Waverly M. Jones

Patch image: New York City Police Department, New York






Patrolman Waverly M. Jones
New York City Police Department
New York

End of Watch: Friday, May 21, 1971

Biographical Info
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, May 21, 1971
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Denied parole in 2004

Patrolmen Jones and Joseph Piagentini were shot and killed in the 32nd Precinct when they were ambushed by members of the Black Liberation Army.

As the two patrolmen were returning to their cruiser at approximately 2200 hours, 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 others were denied parole in 2002 and 2004.

Patrolman Jones had been employed with the New York City Police Department for five years, and is survived by his wife and three children.

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.

Related Line of Duty Deaths
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPolice Officer Harold Hamilton
San Francisco Police Department, CA
EOW: Monday, October 19, 1970
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPatrolman Joseph A. Piagentini
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: Friday, May 21, 1971
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkOfficer Billy Michael Kaylor
Atlanta Police Department, GA
EOW: Monday, August 23, 1971
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkSergeant John Victor Young
San Francisco Police Department, CA
EOW: Sunday, August 29, 1971
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkOfficer James Richard Greene
Atlanta Police Department, GA
EOW: Wednesday, November 3, 1971
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPolice Officer Gregory P. Foster
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, January 27, 1972
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPolice Officer Rocco W. Laurie
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: Thursday, January 27, 1972
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkTrooper Werner Foerster
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: Wednesday, May 2, 1973
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPolice Officer Sidney L. Thompson
New York City Transit Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, June 5, 1973
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPolice Officer John G. Scarangella
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: Friday, May 1, 1981
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkPolice Officer Waverly L. Brown
Nyack Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, October 20, 1981
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: New York City Police Department, New YorkSergeant Edward J. O'Grady Jr.
Nyack Police Department, NY
EOW: Tuesday, October 20, 1981
Cause of Death: Gunfire

» Update this memorial» List all officers from this agency
» Printer friendly view» Officer down news
Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Contact Us
Copyright © 1996-2008, The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.Back to ODMP Homepage