New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Thursday, January 27, 1972
Add to My HeroesRocco W. Laurie
Patrolman Rocco Laurie and Patrolman Gregory Foster were assassinated by members of the Black Liberation Army while walking their patrol beat on Avenue B and East 11th Street in the 9th Precinct.
As they were walking down the street, three or four suspects walked past them, spun around, and opened fire, shooting them in their backs. After the patrolmen fell, the killers took their handguns and shot them several more times.
On Feb. 14, 1972, one of two suspects was shot and killed in a gun battle with police in St. Louis, Missouri. The other suspect, arrested at the scene, had Officer Laurie's service revolver in his possession. He was returned to New York and charged with two counts of murder. He was acquitted in 1973. He was returned to Missouri where he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for convictions in the St. Louis incident. A third suspect was captured in New Orleans in 1973. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Patrolman Waverly Jones and Patrolman Joseph A. Piagentiai of the New York City Police Department on May 21, 1971.
Patrolman Laurie served with the New York City Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife. Patrolman Laurie and Officer Foster served in the U.S. Marine Corps together and were Vietnam combat veterans. When they joined the New York City Police Department they requested to be assigned to the same precinct.
Patrolman Laurie is buried at Saint Peter's Cemetery in West New Brighton, New York.
In October 2019, Otis Avenue at Hylan Avenue in Staten Island was renamed Police Officer Rocco W. Laurie Way in his honor.
The Black Liberation Army was a violent, radical group that attempted to fight for independence from the United States government in the late 1960's and early 1970's. The BLA was responsible for the murders of more than 10 police officers around the country. They were also responsible for violent attacks around the country that left many police officers wounded.
Bio
- Age 23
- Tour 2 years
- Badge 11019
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender One later shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 76 ReflectionsI was a 13 year old growing up in Stuyvesant Town. I was playing handball with my friend Guy against a building wall on E. 11th St and Ave B when the shots rang out. I was literally the first one on the scene. It was the most surreal thing I ever witnessed. Being a 13 year old there was little I could do. I picked up Patrolman Foster's memo book and held it until more police arrived. A Hispanic man from the fish-n-chips store came out and cradled Officer Laurie's head and was crying at the same time. Police arrived and put both into police cars and drove away. I'm 65 now and it still sits terrible with me. Every January 27th since without fail I return to E. 11th St and Ave B and I say two "Our Father" prayers, one for Officer Laurie and one for Officer Foster. May God continue to comfort these two great heros in Heaven.
John Landers
NYC Transit
September 22, 2024
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