Patrolman Joseph A. Piagentini

Joseph A. Piagentini

Patrolman Joseph Piagentini and Patrolman Waverly Jones were shot and killed while on foot patrol in the Colonial Park Houses public housing complex at 159th Street and Harlem River Drive.

They were ambushed by members of the Black Liberation Army. As the two patrolmen were returning to their cruiser at approximately 10:00 p.m., 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. Two of the suspects, along with five others, were also involved in the murder of Sergeant John Victor Young of the San Francisco Police Department on August 29, 1971.

The three suspects were arrested and sentenced to 25 years to life. One of the suspects died in prison. One remains in prison, and the third was granted parole in March 2018.

Patrolman Piagentini had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct. Survivors include his wife and two daughters.

In October 2019, the Town of Babylon renamed the playground at Fabio Butita Memorial Park to the Joseph Piagentini Memorial Playground.

The Black Liberation Army was a violent, radical group that attempted to fight for independence from the United States government in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The BLA was responsible for the murders of more than 10 police officers and the wounding of many more law enforcement officers.  

Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Liberation Army's violent activism.