Today is a sad anniversary in the history of New York's Finest. Forty years ago today, two young patrolmen were publicly executed, purportedly by members of the Black Liberation Army, who claimed credit for the executions.
Patrolman Rocco Laurie and Patrolman Gregory Foster, both veterans of the Vietnam War, were gunned down on street patrol on the lower east side of Manhattan.
Remember the turmoil of the early seventies with the tension in this country about the war, about the equality of our citizens and the introduction of assassination of those who promoted ideas and pathways to solutions to hopefully embrace a more civil society.
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These two young patrolman had served their country with honor and distinction in a war for which the veterans of, when returning home, were met with hatred and contempt.
They went on to serve their city with the bravery and commitment to purpose which they had always possessed.
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Somehow in the distorted minds of those responsible, executing these two officers would further the cause of African Americans, even though Officer Foster was black. No one was ever convicted for these executions.
New Yorkers will never forget their sacrifice and our collective loss. May they rest in peace.