Patrolman William Reed Templin

William Reed Templin

Patrolman William Templin was shot and killed while he and his partner patrolled the company's yards in Chicago, Illinois.

Patrolman Templin, who was an unarmed probationary officer, had been separated from his partner by a passing train as they checked rail cars at 71st Street and the Chicago Skyway. He was attacked by a radical racist group and shot execution style.

One of the suspects was later shot and killed by other officers. The other two suspects were convicted, served jail time and have since been released.

Patrolman Templin had served with the Penn Central Railroad Police Department for only three weeks.

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 around the country. They were also responsible for violent attacks around the country that left many police officers wounded.