1971 memories on two classic .38's:

[dabney]

On 05-21-71, just a few months before I joined the PD, here in Columbus Georgia, two NYPD Officers answering a "bogus" call were murdered. Killed by 3-black panthers from behind in a housing project area in NYC. In November of 71, that murder, as well as other law enforcement homicides happening in that time period, was front and center in roll call meetings before we were dismissed for our tour of duty. I had just started work as a very green rookie who was excited by his job, but very mindful of the dangers that lurked about. The murder of NYPD Officers Waverly Jones and Joe Piagentini (5/21/71) was a nightmare that haunted many of us who had housing projects on the beat we were assigned. From study of this awful murder, I would later find out the identity of Jones and Piagentini service revolvers. Two, of which I myself carried, during those turbulent years in cop-world. Officer Jones carried a Smith & Wesson Model 10-5, blue steel and a four-inch standard barrel. This same .38 was "stolen" by one of the 3-killers after Officer Jones was dead on the sidewalk. It was later recovered on the other side of the country in San Francisco at the scene of another cop shooting several months later. This murder attempt on a San Fran PD Sergeant Kowalski was unsuccessful, thank the Good Lord! The murder attempt was thwarted and Officer Jones Model 10 was recovered many miles from NYC. It was returned back to NYC for the subsequent trial. Officer Piagentini had a Colt Official Police, serial number 744883. A blue steel .38 with a four-inch barrel which was also "stolen" at the NYC murder scene. It was recovered on 11-20-74 in Cordelia Mississippi at a small farm. Buried by one of the cop-killers but recovered from info obtained from a snitch. Two classics that I carried then and carry today, 44+years later. Those two "giants" in police .38's were the cutting edge in the early 1970's. Many agencies followed the NYPD lead and adopted the same choice of six-guns for duty carry/use. Sometimes, I reflect back on these horrible times and remember these brave men who went to their deaths packing shooting-hardware that I so much admire, even in today's real time ultra-modern polymer self-loaders! My friends just an old cop reflecting on something horrible from the past. I know there to be some ex-NYPD gents, from those years, on this forum and I want them to know how much we, cops down south, admired, honored, and prayed for them on a regular basis. They (NYPD) stood tall in the face of adversity, big time!

David

 

[Jack Flash]

Excellent post.

I am horrified by the recent increases in attacks on and murders of police officers. It takes a lot of courage to put on that uniform and go out there to keep us safe. Thank you!

Even more horrifying is how the cowards and psychopaths who commit these atrocious crimes are treated in the media. I can't say any more.

 

[LEO918]

David. Thanks again for another great post.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Our LE people are heroes to many of us. During the turbulent 60s and 70s, it was not only big city officers who were murdered, but federal agents as well. Remember the Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge Indian Reservation incidents? Both US Marshals and FBI had either serious injuries or members killed.

All of our LE people need our support. They do good work.

I know some will say otherwise with respect to gun rights, but my answer is that "there are always a few bad apples." Often, the bad apples are in management.

Be that as it may, let us agree that the vast majority of our LE people are good people deserving of our respect for their willingness, especially now in times of low pay, disrespect in the media and by an alarming number of politicians and their supporters, and the "victim mentality" our society now embraces, to protect us.

Good show for LE, local, state and federal, and our military!

God bless America!