Giuseppe PETROSINO (detto Joe) nacque a Padula (SA) il 30 agosto 1860. Emigrò, giovanissimo, nel 1873 alla volta di New York col padre Prospero, sarto, e l'intera famiglia composta dalla madre, da due sorelle e da tre fratelli In un primo momento, quale primo figlio, si adattò a tutti i mestieri al fine di non gravare sul bilancio familiare; studiò la lingua inglese, frequentando corsi serali, ed il 19 ottobre 1883 si arruolò nella polizia di New York, indossando l'uniforme da poliziotto portante sul petto una placca d'argento, col numero 285. Dopo un breve periodo di rodaggio come agente di pattuglia nella Tredicesima Avenue, comincio a scalare i gradini della gerarchia, imponendosi a tutti per i suoi sistemi di lavoro che si ispirarono a passione per il mestiere, grande fiuto, intelligenza, senso di responsabilità, alta professionalità. Il suo grande sogno e scopo della vita fu uno solo: sconfiggere la mafia, allora contraddistinta col nome di "Mano Nera".Sposato, con una figlia, compì imprese leggendarie e meritorie, guadagnandosi persino 1a stima del Presidente degli Stati Uniti, di cui era grande amico e dal quale aveva grandissima considerazione. A trent'anni, promosso detective, passò al servizio investigativo; nel 1895 è il Presidente Roosvelt in persona a nominarlo Sergente e nel 1905, con la promozione a Tenente, gli viene affidato il comando dell'Italian Legion cioè gruppi di agenti italiani, a suo giudizio indispensabili, per combattere la "Mano Nera". Dichiarò guerra ed assicurò alla giustizia boss di alto calibro, che nessun corpo di polizia era mai riuscito a prendere, con imprese funambolesche e leggendarie, proponendosi in modo intelligente e determinato, senza mai compromettersi a nessun livello. La sua arma segreta furono i travestimenti, che gli consentirono di vivere più da vicino il complesso mondo della mafia. A lui solo viene attribuita la grande intuizione di aver capito che la mafia, in New York, aveva le sue radici in Sicilia, tant'è vero che intraprese un viaggio in Italia, diretto appunto in Sicilia, per infliggerle il colpo mortale. Fu ricevuto dal Presidente dei Consiglio Giolitti dal quale ricevette in regalo un orologio d'oro e dopo essersi fermato per qualche giorno a Padula nella sua casa natale ove c'era il fratello Michele rimpatriato, partì alla volta della Sicilia. Avviò un grosso lavoro che l'avrebbe portato a sconfiggere definitivamente la mafia, ma la sera del 12 marzo 1909, nella piazza Marina di Palermo, fu raggiunto da quattro colpi di rivoltella che lo fecero crollare, ucciso, al suolo.Mori da soldato, nel compimento del suo dovere, colpito alle spalle, al buio, a tradimento da una mano assassina che fermò il cammino del più forte e coraggioso poliziotto di tutti i tempi.		Giuseppe PETROSINO (called Joe by the Americans) was born in Padula ( a small town in the proximity of Salerno) on August 30th, 1860. He emigrated at very yong age in 1873 setting himself out to New York, along with his father Prospero, who was a tailor, and his entire family which was composed by his mother, his two sister and three brothers. In the beginning, in order not to weigh on his family's finances, he adapted himself with various occupations. He studied the English language by getting enrolled in evening classes. On October 19th, 1883 he enlisted in the New York Police Department, wearing the silver badge No. 285 placed at the chest-level of his police uniform. After a short training period ad patrol agent on 13th Avenue, he began to climb up the corporated ladder imposing himself at the centre of attention for his working methods, which were inspired by the passion towards the job, the great intuition, the Intelligence, the sense of responsibility and the high level of professionalism. The great dream and aim of his life was strictly one: "to defeat Mafia", at that time marker with the name "Black Hand". From his marriage he had a daughter, and during those days he accomplished legendary and meritorious achievements, gaining, even the esteem of the United States President, of whom he was a great friend of and from whom he enjoyed a great consideration. Joe PETROSINO was promoted detective at the age of 30, passing onto the investigate service. In 1895, President Roosevelt himself nominated him Sergeant and in 1905, by means of his promotion to Lieutenant, he was entrusted with the command of the Italian Legion, which was constituted by Italian Agent, who were judged by him as indispensable in order to fight the "Black Hand". He declared war, to the big mafia bosses by delivering them to justice which was something no other Police corp had ever been able to do, by means of acrobatic and legendary undertakings, proposing himself in 'an intelligent and determinated way, without ever compromising himself at any level. His winning weapon was constituted by the continuos disguises which allowed him to live in closer contacts with the complexed mafia world. It is strictly to him that we can attribute the great merit of having realized that the New York mafia had Its roots, in Sicily, to the point that he undertook a trip to Italy, directed there fore, to Sicily, in order to inflict the mortal blow on mafia. He was welcomed by the them Prime Minister Giolitti from whom he received, as a present, a gold watch. After having stopped for a few days in his native home of Padula (where he met his repatriated brother, Michele) he left to reach Sicily. He started a great work which would have led him to defeat the mafia once and for all, but on the evening of March 12th, 1909, while walking through piazza Marina in Palermo, he was hit by four revolver bullets which made him crush to the soil. He died as a soldier in the completion of his duty, hit with the favour of darkness by means of a treacherous attack perpetrated by a killing hand, which halted the way of the strongest and bravest po1iceman. of all times.