Nolita in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
1. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Marker
Left marker:
Joseph (Giuseppe) Petrosino (1860-1909) was the first Italian-American lieutenant and detective in the New York City Police Department. Petrosino formed the Italian Branch, an elite corps of Italian-American undercover police that combated the Black Hand (Mano Nego) crime organization in America and Italy. As a result, thousands of organized crime figures were arrested. He also founded the bomb and canine squads, the first units of their kind in the United States.
Petrosino was killed in Palermo, making him the only New York City police officer to lose his life in the line of duty outside the United States. Upon his death, President Theodore Roosevelt declared, Petrosino was a great man and a good man he did not know the name of fear. Many thousands of mourners attended his state funeral.
Joseph Petrosino remains a symbol of justice and social responsibility. The Lieutenant Detective Joseph Petrosino Awards are presented to outstanding police officers and other distinguished individuals in law enforcement.
Right marker:
Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino
Born 1860 Padula (Sa), Italy
Died 1909 Palermo, Italy
New York City Police Department 1883-1909
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 40° 43.294′ N, 73° 59.854′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Nolita. It is on Kenmare Street near Cleveland Place, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Who Was Petrosino? (a few steps from this marker); Tumbados (within shouting distance of this marker); Champion Pizza (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Who Was Petrosino? (within shouting distance of this marker); Lombardi's Pizza (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rapkin-Gayle Plaza (about 700 feet away); Firefighter Robert T. Lane (about 800 feet away); Fire Fighter Christopher M. Mozzillo (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Park (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Petrosino Square / Lt. Joseph Petrosino Plaques. Official NYC Parks description. (Submitted on April 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Joseph Petrosino.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
2. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Marker
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
3. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Square
Formerly Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Park; rebuilt and renamed by NYC Parks & Recreation, 2010.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
4. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Square, 2019
For a "square", it's entirely triangular.
from Wikipedia, unknown
5. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 808 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on April 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
