Patrol Special Police Officer Joseph W. Boswell, San Francisco Police Department, California

Patrol Special Police Officer Joseph W. Boswell

San Francisco Police Department, California

End of Watch Tuesday, May 3, 1977

Joseph W. Boswell

Patrol Special Police Officer Joseph Boswell was shot and killed when he interrupted a drugstore robbery on his post. Two suspects had taken the five drugstore employees hostage. When Patrol Special Police Officer Boswell visited the drugstore at 9:00 pm, he was met by the gunmen, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun.

The suspects shot and killed Patrol Special Police Officer Boswell and fled the scene.

Patrol Special Police Officer Boswell had served as a special officer for 20 years.

Bio

Age 53
Tour 20 years
Badge 2645

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge
Offender Not available

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Joe was a good guy. He'd drop by the Arco gas where I worked nightly. We'd have a cup of coffee out of one of those old machines and shoot the shit for 10 minutes or so. That night he came by as usual. Soon after he left, I heard sirens for 20 minutes straight. I could see reflections of the lights flashing off the other side of the freeway.

Joe never returned.

J.E. Olsen
Private

June 16, 2018