On the evening of May 21, 1971, NYPD Officer Joseph Piagentini, 28, was ambushed and fatally shot while on foot patrol in the Colonial Park Houses public housing complex in Harlem. He and his partner, Officer Waverly Jones, had responded to a reported disturbance that proved to be a ruse. Three assailants approached from behind and opened fire; Jones was killed instantly by a shot to the back of the head. Piagentini was shot multiple times, pleaded that he had a wife and two young daughters, was shot a total of 13 times, and died en route to the hospital.

One attacker stole Jones’s service weapon before fleeing the scene. An investigation identified several suspects linked to the Black Liberation Army. Three men, Herman Bell, Anthony Bottom and Albert Washington, were arrested, convicted of the murders and sentenced to 25 years to life; Albert Washington later died in prison.

If anyone knew Officer Piagentini, his family, or witnessed the ambush, please come forward with information.