Joseph A. Piagentini

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch May 21, 1971

Age 28

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Badge 8288

The Vigil Panel 108 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Piagentini and Patrolman Waverly Jones were shot and killed while on foot patrol in the Colonial Park Houses public housing complex at 159th Street and Harlem River Drive. They were ambushed by members of the Black Liberation Army. As the two patrolmen were returning to their cruiser at approximately 10:00 p.m., three suspects snuck up behind them and opened fire. Patrolman Jones was struck in the back of the head and killed instantly. Patrolman Piagentini was shot 13 times and succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. One of the suspects stole Patrolman Jones' weapon, which was later recovered in San Francisco, California, after several BLA members opened fire on a San Francisco police officer. Two of the suspects, along with five others, were also involved in the murder of Sergeant John Victor Young of the San Francisco Police Department on August 29, 1971. The three suspects were arrested and sentenced to 25 years to life. One of the suspects died in prison. One remains in prison, and the third was granted parole in March 2018. Patrolman Piagentini had served with the New York City Police Department for five years and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct. Survivors include his wife and two daughters. In October 2019, the Town of Babylon renamed the playground at Fabio Butita Memorial Park to the Joseph Piagentini Memorial Playground. 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 and the wounding of many more law enforcement officers. Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Liberation Army's violent activism.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-A6E1212C
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Piagentini gave the New York City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Piagentini.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 21, 1971

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 28

Badge Number 8288

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Convicted of murder

Patrolman Joseph A. Piagentini is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious