New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Friday, January 22, 1971
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 20025
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 22, 1971
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Never identified
Patrolman Robert Bolden was shot and killed when he intervened in an altercation while off duty at a restaurant at 345 Gold Street.
It is believed that several suspects had planned to rob the restaurant and Patrolman Bolden attempted to stop them. One of the men pulled out a sawed-off shotgun from under his coat and opened fire on him. Despite being wounded, Patrolman Bolden returned fire before he was struck in the chest and killed. The suspects fled and were never apprehended.
Patrolman Bolden was a United States Navy veteran who served with the New York City Police Department for 15 years and was assigned to the 75th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and three children.