On a Monday morning in November 1978, 39-year-old off-duty Detective Horace Ford was killed during an armed robbery at Manufacturers Hanover Bank at 41-01 Kissena Boulevard in Queens, New York. Working a secondary job, he identified himself as a police officer and drew his weapon after the holdup was announced. The robber immediately shot Detective Ford; despite being mortally wounded he returned fire and fatally wounded the assailant, identified as 29-year-old David Robinson. The gunman fled the bank but died in the street outside.

Detective Ford, a 12-year NYPD veteran assigned to the Street Crimes Unit, was taken to Booth Memorial Hospital and died several hours after surgery. He had made more than 200 arrests and received numerous commendations; he was survived by his wife and daughter and was posthumously awarded the NYPD’s Medal of Honor.

If anyone remembers this robbery or the people involved, can you share details that might help piece together what happened that morning?