San Francisco Police Department, California
End of Watch: Monday, October 19, 1970
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 296
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 19, 1970
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Died from gunshot wounds
Police Officer Harold Hamilton was shot and killed after responding to a bank robbery call at the Wells Fargo Bank at Seventh Avenue and Clement Street.
When Officer Hamilton and his partner arrived, they attempted to enter the bank and Officer Hamilton was shot and killed. Officer Hamilton's partner was able to return fire, wounding the suspect.
At the officer's funeral, members of the Black Liberation Army planted a time bomb outside of the church. The bomb exploded but did not injure any mourners.
The suspect was released after 17 years in prison but later died of the gunshot wounds suffered in the incident.
Officer Hamilton had been a member of the San Francisco Police Department for six years. He is survived by his wife and four children.