Patrol Special Police Officer Joseph W. Boswell, 53, was killed on May 3, 1977, in San Francisco. He was fatally shot while interrupting a robbery at a drugstore at 2450 San Bruno Avenue around 9:00 pm, after three suspects had taken five employees hostage. Officer Boswell was struck twice with a 12-gauge shotgun and once with a handgun; the wounds proved fatal.

Boswell had served 20 years as a special police officer and was survived by two sons, a brother, a sister, and four grandchildren. The suspects were reported at large after the incident and the San Francisco Police Department continued to investigate; colleagues and community members later reflected on his service and sacrifice.

Does anyone have information about the suspects or the robbery that night?