New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Thursday, January 27, 1972
Add to My HeroesGregory Philip Foster
Patrolman Gregory Foster and Patrolman Rocco Laurie were assassinated by members of the Black Liberation Army while walking their patrol beat on Avenue B and East 11th Street in the 9th Precinct.
As they were walking down the street, three or four suspects walked past them, spun around, and opened fire, shooting them in their backs. After the patrolmen fell, the killers took their handguns and shot them several more times.
On Feb. 14, 1972, one of two suspects was shot and killed in a gun battle with police in St. Louis, Missouri. The other suspect, arrested at the scene, had Officer Laurie's service revolver in his possession. He was returned to New York and charged with two counts of murder. He was acquitted in 1973. He was returned to Missouri where he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for convictions from the St. Louis incident. A third suspect was captured in New Orleans in 1973. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Patrolman Waverly Jones and Patrolman Joseph A. Piagentiai of the New York City Police Department on May 21, 1971.
Patrolman Foster had served with the New York City Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and five siblings. Officer Foster and Officer Laurie served in the U.S. Marine Corps together and were Vietnam combat veterans. When they joined the New York City Police Department they requested to be assigned to the same Precinct.
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.
Bio
- Age 22
- Tour 1 year
- Badge 13737
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender One later shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 63 ReflectionsHero Police Officer, Gregory, Foster, and I were Police Trainees together in 1970. It was also my first week on patrol in Harlem when Gregory and Hero Police Officer Rocco Laurie were murdered. I will NEVER forget the Police radios blasting away that night that two Police Officers were shot and later on they both had died. There assassinations can never be forgotten as it has lived within me for the past 52 years. RIP brothers until we meet once again.Ret. Det Sgt George Reich Bronx Homicide NW CO
Sgt
NYPD
February 24, 2024
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