Robert Michael Bob Holcomb was a 28-year-old Plainville, Connecticut police officer who was killed on the evening of November 21, 1977. He responded to a residential burglary and interrupted two men; one suspect fled into a wooded area across the street, where Holcomb pursued him. During a struggle the man shot Holcomb once in the arm, then stood over him and fired four more shots into his chest. Holcomb was taken to New Britain General Hospital and died shortly afterward.

Investigators identified Gary Castonguay, 33, and his nephew Rocco Testa as suspects. Testa received immunity in exchange for testifying against Castonguay. Castonguay was charged, convicted of the murder, and sentenced to 25 years to life. The .38 caliber murder weapon was recovered from Pine Lake in Bristol. Castonguay has appeared before parole boards multiple times; a January 2015 grant of parole was revoked after public outcry, and subsequent hearings have resulted in denials. The town has commemorated Officer Holcomb with a street named Robert Holcomb Way.