Call us at: Tel. 917-544-2202
The Lt. Det. Joseph Petrosino Association in America, Inc. was to honor the life of the late Lt. Det. Joseph Petrosino, a dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice working to make our world a better place. He gave his life but left behind a legacy and footprint for others to follow.
Lt. Det. Joseph (Guiseppe) Petrosino was a NYC Police Officer who served in the early 1900’s. He created the Bomb Squad, the Canine Squad and the Undercover Squad, all of which are still being used in today’s police work.
The Mission and Purpose of the Lt. Det. Joseph Petrosino Association in America, Inc. includes recognizing and honoring those individuals who make a difference in Law Enforcement, Public Service, Government and Business with their commitment to the betterment of our communities. Our mission also includes working with the NYPD and other organizations who share our vision and mission to recognize the legacy of Petrosino. We are proud of our affiliation with the International Association Joe Petrosino in Padula (Sa) and Association Joe Petrosino Sicilia – Palermo. Through our combined efforts, we hope to inspire young Italians and Italian Americans here and around the world to embrace their language, culture and heritage.
Giuseppe Petrosino was born in Padula, Italy,
a village in southern Italy
Petrosino joined the NYPD. He was promoted to Detective Sergeant by Teddy Roosevelt in 1895
Petrosino married his wife Adelina Saulino and had a baby daughter in 1908.
One notable case in Petrosino's stint with the Italian Squad was when the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso, who was performing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City was being blackmailed by Black Hand gangsters who demanded money in exchange for his life. It was Petrosino who convinced Caruso to help him catch those behind the blackmail.
THE BLACK HAND AND ENRICO CARUSO CASE
A second important case in Petrosino's career with the Italian
Squad was his infiltration of an Italian-based anarchist organization that was
suspected of ties with the King Umberto I assassination in 1900.
During his mission, he discovered evidence that the organization intended to
assassinate President William McKinley during his trip to Buffalo.
Petrosino warned the Secret Service, but McKinley ignored the warning, even
after Roosevelt, who had by this time become Vice-President of the United
States, vouched for Petrosino's abilities. McKinley was assassinated by Leon
Czolgosz during his visit to Buffalo's Pan-American Exposition on September 6,
1901.
THE ASSASSINATION OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Petrosino's investigations into Mafia activities led him to Vito Cascio Ferro, then a low ranking Black Hand affiliate. In 1903, Petrosino arrested him on suspicion of murder, but Cascio Ferro was acquitted. He later returned to Sicily, where he progressed increasingly to the top rank of the Sicilian Mafia. Cascio Ferro was later suspected of Petrosino's murder.
THE ARREST OF CASCIO FERRO