On May 22, 1970, James Thomas Sackett was on his first shift back at work after the birth of his son. Connie Trimble made a frantic phone call to police headquarters, claiming that her sister was about to give birth. James, who was a relatively new officer, went to provide assistance. But when he arrived and knocked on the front door, a single gunshot struck the 28-year-old in the chest, killing him instantly. Connie’s boyfriend Ronald Reed had stationed himself on a nearby rooftop in order to snipe whatever random police officer happened to respond to her false distress call. Ronald and Connie, along with Larry Clark, devised this plan in order to inspire the leaders of the Black Panthers to start a chapter in their city.
