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
this page online
Location. 40° 43.294′ N, 73° 59.854′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Nolita. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lombardi's Pizza (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rapkin-Gayle Plaza (about 700 feet away); Sisters of Charity (approx. 0.2 miles away); “I Absolve You” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Play Street - Little Italy (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Neighborhood - Little Italy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Within These Grounds Are Buried The Pioneering Priests (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
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. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on April 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
2. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Marker
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
3. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Marker
Newspaper article of his life and death.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
4. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Square
Formerly Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Park; rebuilt and renamed by NYC Parks & Recreation, 2010.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 8, 2019
5. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino Square, 2019
For a "square", it's entirely triangular.
from Wikipedia, unknown
6. Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on April 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
